Nico Williams

Trafalgar said:

Only 9 contributions in 25 games in an offensive side like Bilbao is just shocking ... looks like we dodged a bullet with one.

Click to expand...

He's best friends with Yamal though

He will have his pick of teams if wants to leave Bilbao.

Top player.

Will be even better in teams with other threats up top. Bilbao barely have a striker and no teams are choosing to double up on his brother other than him.

Could still end the season with 20+ goals assists and teams are wary of him every time.

Trafalgar said:

Only 9 contributions in 25 games in an offensive side like Bilbao is just shocking ... looks like we dodged a bullet with one.

Click to expand...

Will have to disagree, my dude.
He has a total 17 G/A, 8 goals, and 7 assists in Laliga and Copa. While not stellar its good enough for someone having a mare of a season. On top, he's not the outlet and their team setup and positional freedom are quite different.
Compare that to Yamal's 8 goals and 15 assists in Laliga and Copa, 23 G/A. You see he's not having a bad or a mare of a season that folks in here seem to think.
That being said, regarding your second part, I think we neither dodged a bullet nor missed a generational talent, as some people seem to argue.
He's a good player, and he would improve us if he came, but we have other pressing matters to see, too. We can wait a season more for an LW, and it's even fine if we miss his signing; there are other players we can go for in 2026.

draconifire said:

nWill have to disagree, my dude.
He has a total 17 G/A, 8 goals, and 7 assists in Laliga and Copa. While not stellar its good enough for someone having a mare of a season. On top, he's not the outlet and their team setup and positional freedom are quite different.
Compare that to Yamal's 8 goals and 15 assists in Laliga and Copa, 23 G/A. You see he's not having a bad or a mare of a season that folks in here seem to think.
That being said, regarding your second part, I think we neither dodged a bullet nor missed a generational talent, as some people seem to argue.
He's a good player, and he would improve us if he came, but we have other pressing matters to see, too. We can wait a season more for an LW, and it's even fine if we miss his signing; there are other players we can go for in 2026.

Click to expand...

Actually, I think signing a winger this summer is a priority, not a luxury. If Yamal or Raphinha get injured, our season could collapse, that’s how thin we are out wide.
Now, regarding Nico the reason I said we might’ve dodged a bullet is mainly his price tag. Are we really comfortable spending €60–70M on a player who's good, sure, but not quite at the level that price ? Yes, he's young, has La Liga experience, a high ceiling, and great chemistry with Lamine in the national team. But does that justify the fee when we know we'll need money to spend on a 9 later?
Personally, I’d rather go for someone like Leroy Sané. He’s still only 28 I believe, has at least 3–4 seasons left in him, and would come on a free. Plus, Flick knows him, which would help with the adaptation. That way, we could save big and focus our spending next summer on what we really need a WC number 9.

Trafalgar said:

Actually, I think signing a winger this summer is a priority, not a luxury. If Yamal or Raphinha get injured, our season could collapse, that’s how thin we are out wide.
Now, regarding Nico the reason I said we might’ve dodged a bullet is mainly his price tag. Are we really comfortable spending €60–70M on a player who's good, sure, but not quite at the level that price ? Yes, he's young, has La Liga experience, a high ceiling, and great chemistry with Lamine in the national team. But does that justify the fee when we know we'll need money to spend on a 9 later?
Personally, I’d rather go for someone like Leroy Sané. He’s still only 28 I believe, has at least 3–4 seasons left in him, and would come on a free. Plus, Flick knows him, which would help with the adaptation. That way, we could save big and focus our spending next summer on what we really need a WC number 9.

Click to expand...

Have an answer:
Lookman.

Lookman is almost 28.

Trafalgar said:

Actually, I think signing a winger this summer is a priority, not a luxury. If Yamal or Raphinha get injured, our season could collapse, that’s how thin we are out wide.
Now, regarding Nico the reason I said we might’ve dodged a bullet is mainly his price tag. Are we really comfortable spending €60–70M on a player who's good, sure, but not quite at the level that price ? Yes, he's young, has La Liga experience, a high ceiling, and great chemistry with Lamine in the national team. But does that justify the fee when we know we'll need money to spend on a 9 later?
Personally, I’d rather go for someone like Leroy Sané. He’s still only 28 I believe, has at least 3–4 seasons left in him, and would come on a free. Plus, Flick knows him, which would help with the adaptation. That way, we could save big and focus our spending next summer on what we really need a WC number 9.

Click to expand...

Hhmm!! Rational thoughts.....will make a lot of sense if Sane is free and not asking for an outrageous salary though.

Personally, I think Barca will go for Nico. It is typical.

Sane will want like 20mil, so hard pass.

He could be nightmare to get rid off, and also he is not brightest player and also injury prone.

Trafalgar said:

Actually, I think signing a winger this summer is a priority, not a luxury. If Yamal or Raphinha get injured, our season could collapse, that’s how thin we are out wide.
Now, regarding Nico the reason I said we might’ve dodged a bullet is mainly his price tag. Are we really comfortable spending €60–70M on a player who's good, sure, but not quite at the level that price ? Yes, he's young, has La Liga experience, a high ceiling, and great chemistry with Lamine in the national team. But does that justify the fee when we know we'll need money to spend on a 9 later?
Personally, I’d rather go for someone like Leroy Sané. He’s still only 28 I believe, has at least 3–4 seasons left in him, and would come on a free. Plus, Flick knows him, which would help with the adaptation. That way, we could save big and focus our spending next summer on what we really need a WC number 9.

Click to expand...

Very reasonable perspective and there are even alternatives to Sané admittedly but they’d all still require adaptation to team & league vs Nico

I‘d also contend a formidable pairing of the duo would deprioritize a high profile #9 in the near future, letting Deco find a young cheaper one with potential that isn’t Roque

I believe Nico, above all options, arrives and the team flies from the off - I am surprised others haven’t really seen it already but it will define this era of football at Barça

If you accept the premise that the future is about the reference that is Lamine Yamal, then pairing him with a player that can provoke the best out of him has to be the priority - and it’s undeniable that those two elevate each other’s game. HazLo

Here we go again.

Dembele scoring for fun upfront for PSG?

Stick Nico up top under Flick. 216 goals a season guaranteed.

FCBarca said:

Very reasonable perspective and there are even alternatives to Sané admittedly but they’d all still require adaptation to team & league vs Nico

I‘d also contend a formidable pairing of the duo would deprioritize a high profile #9 in the near future, letting Deco find a young cheaper one with potential that isn’t Roque

I believe Nico, above all options, arrives and the team flies from the off - I am surprised others haven’t really seen it already but it will define this era of football at Barça

If you accept the premise that the future is about the reference that is Lamine Yamal, then pairing him with a player that can provoke the best out of him has to be the priority - and it’s undeniable that those two elevate each other’s game. HazLo

Click to expand...

It is too simple an argument point to state that players from other leagues won't settle in La liga as quickly as those already in La liga. Restricting your choices by la liga experience or local league is an unncecessary limitation that I know top and serious teams executives discount. Umtiti might be an unpopular example here because of his lack of longevity or continuity but he was considered ahead of the likes of Inigo, Gimenez and co in 2016 and it worked well for the time he was fit before the 2018 WC. Suarez also slotted in well too within weeks. On the contrary there were players Barcelona opted for mainly because of their liga experience while having other non liga options and they failed fantastically here(e.g. Arda Turan, Andre Gomez, Romeu, etc)

It will also be myopic to buy a player on the premise of building a team around one player or on the basis of friendship. Examples abound how that approach has failed many clubs in the past including Barcelona. Clubs buy players based on the fit with their projects, values , playing style and complementary skillset to what they currently have.

Like I have stated, Barcelona will most likely prioritise Nico this summer not because he is the best fit but it is typical of current Barcelona heirachy to be tunnelled-visioned in their perspective when trying to buy players. I have watched this NIco well for sometime and from what I have seen, many may get disappointed if their expectations are not curtailed.

Gazz making reasonable points, but in the case of Nico you're wrong.

Porque said:

Dembele scoring for fun upfront for PSG?

Stick Nico up top under Flick. 216 goals a season guaranteed.

Click to expand...

I was thinking more like 40-50, but I'll take your number Instead

jamrock said:

I was thinking more like 40-50, but I'll take your number Instead

Click to expand...

Lameen will be assisting the assists of his assists for brother Nico.

Unstoppable. It will be like Messi and Suarez all over again. The Williams family will enjoy their stipulated VIP boxes.

Siiiiuuuu.