1 - Marc-Andre ter Ansplant
- Thread starter kaddel11
- Start date
BBZ8800
Senior Member
Ok, but again there are 100s of variations between:
1. a Gk who can't do anything with his feet
2. and Mats
Valdes was good with feet, but nothing spectacular imo.
Bravo was decent with feet, but nowhere near Mats.
My point is that even a few Months ago, on Mats' and Bravo's threads we could have read 100s of posts how Mats is a better fit because he is better in passing.
It seems that a time will prove that Bravo was a much better fit because he was actually a much better keeper in terms of conceding less goals, creating less conceded goals out of nothing etc.
I know that people don't like numbers, but still, imo:
Bravo was 7/10 with feet and 10/10 as a Gk.
Mats is currently at 10/10 with feet and at 8/10 in goalkeeping.
My point: a Gk who is 10/10 in goalkeeping (and anything with 6/10 or higher with feet) will always be a better fit for us than a Gk with 8/10 in goalkeeping, no matter how good he is with feet.
A somewhat exaggerated analogy would be:
Barca can have a Fc who can score 50 goals per season, but who doesn't defend too well.
Or we can have a Fc who scores 20 goals per season, but he runs 20 kms per match and usually has 7 tackles won per match and 6 interceptions.
I mean, that's nice, but we need a Fc who will bang 50 goals per season.
Fcs should score and defenders should make tackles.
This is exaggerated, but ok.
If Mats would have been as good in goalkeeping as this forum wanted, then we would really have a real gem in our team: a 10/10 good Gk with the best passing in the world.
But in reality, we just have a very good passer, who creates too many dangerous situations due to being too arrogant and due to defenders relying on his passing skills too much. And he is quite meh in goalkeeping till now.
As others have mentioned, it is quite hard to remember (except an away match to Bayern), when was the last time when he actually saved our asses and when he was a gamechanger factor.
Historically, Barca and German keepers didn't click till now.
We had Enke, and now Mats.
Our last 4 good keepers were 3 "Latinos" (2 Spanish guys) Zubi and Valdes, Chillean Bravo and only one non-Latino: Dutch Ruud Hesp in late 90s.
So, history says that Spanish or Latino keepers fit the best for our style.
They seem to know the language, culture, climate and everything better. Plus, they click better with teammates, it seems.
On paper, De Gea currently looks like the best option by far.
Spanish, knows the language, climate, La liga experience, good with feet (lol), young, already experienced at the highest level.
Luftstalag14
Culé de Celestial Empire
That's right, on paper only. There is absolutely no chance Manchester United will sell him, unless he forces a move IF they consistently fail to compete for an EPL title and the CL spot for MULTIPLE seasons.
DonAK
President of FC Barcelona
Well, it's not looking good for them so far.
Barcilliant
Senior Member
I agree with this. This whole passing from the back is fine but in the end I'll take a great shot stopper over distribution. Courtois was practically begging to come to Barca and Zubi had other ideas.
Now at the time Mats was making great saves at Gladbach so I can't blame Zubi.
However he seems to have regressed. How many matches has he actually won us??? Compare this with De Gea, Neuer, Buffon, Navas even Casillas....
Barcilliant
Senior Member
Give Cillessen a chance when he's back.
If Mats wants the number one spot he has to earn it. This is Barcelona not Gladbach.
If Mats wants the number one spot he has to earn it. This is Barcelona not Gladbach.
God Serena
New member
It already has been multiple seasons, Man United has been a laughing stock since Fergie retired. I'm honestly impressed they've managed to keep him this long, especially with Real Madrid knocking on the door.
OT: It's pretty clear Mats is in poor form but really, the same could be said for damn near the entire team. Bringing in a new keeper won't necessarily solve all or even any of our problems, because across the board we're drastically underperforming.
God Serena
New member
The problem with that idea is while Mats may make mistakes that cost goals, Cillessen is just an average at best shot stopper in general. We might even be better off giving Jose Suarez a chance...
Or Jordi Masip
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Devils
Senior Member
I don't think it a coincidence that we are observing the worst MAtS this season after Bravo left.
There are just some players who need a fire under their ass to keep them performing at their best. MAtS has a cemented position in the squad and realistically he's not being threatened by Cillessen in the way that Bravo did.
He's drastically under-performing and looks like he has become complacent after cementing the Barca keeper role.
Total-Football
Senior Member
In retrospective.. thinking about how excited you seemed about dropping bravo one would swear stegen is the new neuer.. you already changed your mind.. stand by your position for a season at least
Perhaps MAtS was never the next "great Barca shot-stopper" some of us thought he'd be afterall
God Serena
New member
I really have no idea what you're talking about.
I'm still happy Mats is our keeper. Nothing has changed in that regard and I haven't said anything to suggest otherwise. Like really wtf are you talking about?
Barcilliant
Senior Member
He was great at Gladbach. That's how Zubi got interested in the first place. I can't figure out why he's regressed.
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