11 - Ousmane Dembélé - V1

[Cruyff-Total Football]

It is not only about Roberto's solo runs.
He has our DNA, literally and knows how to play a build up and a possession game.

On the other hand, Paulinho, Dembele and Semedo are probably 3 players with the least "Barca's DNA" currently in our team.
The same as how Paulinho is unfit for our midfield standards, that way Dembele and Semedo are strange fits for our style of play.
They DO have some positive individual skills, though, way more than Paulinho (at least Dembele).

But, when you play Semedo and Dembele on the right, and if you put Paulinho or Roberto as a CM, you are losing Barca's possession style and we look like some counterattacking teams, like in Lucho's era.
Again, that doesn't mean that Dembele and guys can't provide some good stuff.

✓

 

[5ergio_Busquets]

It is not only about Roberto's solo runs.
He has our DNA, literally and knows how to play a build up and a possession game.

On the other hand, Paulinho, Dembele and Semedo are probably 3 players with the least "Barca's DNA" currently in our team.
The same as how Paulinho is unfit for our midfield standards, that way Dembele and Semedo are strange fits for our style of play.
They DO have some positive individual skills, though, way more than Paulinho (at least Dembele).

But, when you play Semedo and Dembele on the right, and if you put Paulinho or Roberto as a CM, you are losing Barca's possession style and we look like some counterattacking teams, like in Lucho's era.
Again, that doesn't mean that Dembele and guys can't provide some good stuff.
But still, their current style of play hasn't got too much with Barca and with understanding with current Barca's players.



People are talking about Semedo's good games all the time.
What was that, 3 matches in September, because since then he had 1 good game in the next 20 appearances.

First you don't need to go back to September to find a good game from Semedo, the last game he played was against Girona and he had a fantastic performance. But there is a "he only had a couple of good games in Septemer" narrative going on here. And how many poor performances did Roberto have? A lot, he was the worst player in the last game together with Paulinho, for the other players there is the excuse of being tired from the international games but what is Roberto's excuse? He wasn't called up for his national team not even as a second choice.
Sure Roberto understands the Barca system better because he has been at Barca since he was a little kid. Semedo, Dembele and Coutinho still haven't perfectly integrated into the Barca system but they need time to do so, otherwise there is no need to sign players and only play Masia players like Roberto.
Also you have many posts about big physical players being better than technical ones, doesn't that contradict with what you are saying here?

 

[Cruyff-Total Football]

First you don't need to go back to September to find a good game from Semedo, the last game he played was against Girona and he had a fantastic performance. But there is a "he only had a couple of good games in Septemer" narrative going on here. And how many poor performances did Roberto have? A lot, he was the worst player in the last game together with Paulinho, for the other players there is the excuse of being tired from the international games but what is Roberto's excuse? He wasn't called up for his national team not even as a second choice.
Sure Roberto understands the Barca system better because he has been at Barca since he was a little kid. Semedo, Dembele and Coutinho still haven't perfectly integrated into the Barca system but they need time to do so, otherwise there is no need to sign players and only play Masia players like Roberto.
Also you have many posts about big physical players being better than technical ones, doesn't that contradict with what you are saying here?

You have valid arguments. But Valverde has said, this is not the time for improving new players. If he don't play him in the league games after we've won the liga, then we can criticize him.

And from what I understood, BBZ says that when a team like Barca and Ajax is filled with non physical technical players, it is essential for atleast one player such as Kante or Milner who is athletic and staminal.

 

[Joan]

It is not only about Roberto's solo runs.
He has our DNA, literally and knows how to play a build up and a possession game.

On the other hand, Paulinho, Dembele and Semedo are probably 3 players with the least "Barca's DNA" currently in our team.
The same as how Paulinho is unfit for our midfield standards, that way Dembele and Semedo are strange fits for our style of play.
They DO have some positive individual skills, though, way more than Paulinho (at least Dembele).

But, when you play Semedo and Dembele on the right, and if you put Paulinho or Roberto as a CM, you are losing Barca's possession style and we look like some counterattacking teams, like in Lucho's era.
Again, that doesn't mean that Dembele and guys can't provide some good stuff.
But still, their current style of play hasn't got too much with Barca and with understanding with current Barca's players.

Talking about 'Barca's DNA'... you named Paulinho, Dembele, and Semedo, but Coutinho is also a more direct player. All of them have been signed since Valverde took over.

That might mean something.

 

[5ergio_Busquets]

You have valid arguments. But Valverde has said, this is not the time for improving new players. If he don't play him in the league games after we've won the liga, then we can criticize him.

And from what I understood, BBZ says that when a team like Barca and Ajax is filled with non physical technical players, it is essential for atleast one player such as Kante or Milner who is athletic and staminal.

I'm not saying let's try some experiments and field all new players and let them learn from their mistakes. I actually think the Dembele isn't ready yet to start big games but if the alternative is Paulinho then Dembele certainly is the better option. Semedo performed very well when he played especially on the defensive side so the best solution for the current situation would be Roberto at RMF and Semedo at RB. This way you can utilize the strengths of both players and finally have some balance on the right side.
Ter Stegen
Semedo Pique Umtiti Alba
Roberto Rakitic Busquets Iniesta
Messi Suarez

This is the best currently available line-up in my opinion with Dembele as a strong sub who can exploit spaces left by tired opponents in the last 20 minutes or so.

 

[Ripsta]

I'm not saying let's try some experiments and field all new players and let them learn from their mistakes. I actually think the Dembele isn't ready yet to start big games but if the alternative is Paulinho then Dembele certainly is the better option. Semedo performed very well when he played especially on the defensive side so the best solution for the current situation would be Roberto at RMF and Semedo at RB. This way you can utilize the strengths of both players and finally have some balance on the right side.
Ter Stegen
Semedo Pique Umtiti Alba
Roberto Rakitic Busquets Iniesta
Messi Suarez

This is the best currently available line-up in my opinion with Dembele as a strong sub who can exploit spaces left by tired opponents in the last 20 minutes or so.

A team with Rakitic in it is not the best available 11.

 

[Barcaman]

A team with Rakitic in it is not the best available 11.

Then who instead of him?

 

[Cruyff-Total Football]

Ter Stegen
Semedo Pique Umtiti Alba
Roberto Rakitic Busquets Iniesta
Messi Suarez

This is the best currently available line-up in my opinion with Dembele as a strong sub who can exploit spaces left by tired opponents in the last 20 minutes or so.

This is everyone's dream team. And in fact, it has physicality too. And Dembele as cameo is a fantastic option similar to RM's Asensio who's probably their best crosser. I too want Paulinho furthest away from our squad preferably to China. But Valverde keeps on insisting playing Paulinho despite repeatedly being conditioned to substitute him as a result of entire team suffering because of his disastrous performance. I think, tomorrow's game Dembele will start since I read that Valverde prefers the same squad that won against Chelsea. But I still prefer the squad which you mentioned. Valverde is the most conservative manager in the world for good or bad.

 

[5ergio_Busquets]

A team with Rakitic in it is not the best available 11.

Rakitic is one of the most important players in the current team, he is really underrated.

 

[Cruyff-Total Football]

A team with Rakitic in it is not the best available 11.

You might want Arthur, Thiago or whatever alongside Iniesta. What you don't realize is, rakitic of the last season is not the same now. Now, Rakitic is class. Not far away from the quality of Modric. Watch once against our toughest match of the season, clasico. He alongside Busquets and Roberto was one of the best performer. You won't find a CM who has excellent defensive ability as well forward runs or crosses and in fact some fantastic through balls which he executed this season. Add to that his long range stunners in big stage. Even if we buy Kante, I would play Rakitic alongside him. Rakitic is class. Unique.

 

[Vilarrubi]

You might want Arthur, Thiago or whatever alongside Iniesta. What you don't realize is, rakitic of the last season is not the same now. Now, Rakitic is class. Not far away from the quality of Modric. Watch once against our toughest match of the season, clasico. He alongside Busquets and Roberto was one of the best performer. You won't find a CM who has excellent defensive ability as well forward runs or crosses and in fact some fantastic through balls which he executed this season. Add to that his long range stunners in big stage. Even if we buy Kante, I would play Rakitic alongside him. Rakitic is class. Unique.

+1 Rakitic is rejuvenated this season under Valverde.. and it helps that Gomes isn’t being played instead of him like Lucho was trying to do last season.

 

[Cruyff-Total Football]

+1 Rakitic is rejuvenated this season under Valverde.. and it helps that Gomes isn’t being played instead of him like Lucho was trying to do last season.

I've not seen theCroatia match. But from what I've read, Rakitic is the second best player in their team next only to Modric.

 

[5ergio_Busquets]

This is everyone's dream team. And in fact, it has physicality too. And Dembele as cameo is a fantastic option similar to RM's Asensio who's probably their best crosser. I too want Paulinho furthest away from our squad preferably to China. But Valverde keeps on insisting playing Paulinho despite repeatedly being conditioned to substitute him as a result of entire team suffering because of his disastrous performance. I think, tomorrow's game Dembele will start since I read that Valverde prefers the same squad that won against Chelsea. But I still prefer the squad which you mentioned too. Valverde is the most conservative manager in the world for good or bad.

Actually this line-up is more "safe" or "conservative" than one with Paulinho in it. It has better defense and more security in posession. Roberto can easily cover at RB when Semedo decides to go forward, he can support the midfield when needed(because he is originally a midfielder) and he also can exchange position with other midfielders(he played some games at DMF too) which provides more flexibility in the midfield. So you have a generally improved team in all aspects.

 

[Egert]

Off topic- Where you been man? Long time no see.

Just been busy with school (last year in school, exams coming up etc), still catching Barca games but not been able to be in touch with the forum so often. But I will be trying to stay more connected with you guys

 

[FCBfan22]

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