11 - Raphinha

[gregorrin10]

Ferran is not slow but he isnt the type that will take players on outside and use pace to beat them.

As much as like Raphinha if/when Barca lose Dembele they wont have that in the team which under current tactics the team needs.

Hard to tell if the current tactics are what Xavi wants long term or reacting to current squad though. If he wants Raphinha on right then would need a RB that gets forward and can overlap him.

Crossing is huge part of game as Barca have shown since Xavi came in and cant have left footed RW and a RB that sits as doesnt stretch opposition and reduces ways can break teams down.

Mazraoui? He gets forward a lot. Him and Raphinha down that right hand side could work very well. Then it would be clear what Xavi and the club are thinking here.

 

[Raketa10]

How good is this guy? What are his weaknesses and strengthens? How good is he in comparison to Dembouz?

 

[fergus90]

I've seen a lot of Raphinha over the last couple seasons and I rate him very,very highly. Excellent dribbler of the ball, can go inside and out and is pacy.

Got 12 G/A in 26 games this year despite Leeds being horse shit. If we get him, especially at the price being touted, it's a very good signing.

 

[Raketa10]

I've seen a lot of Raphinha over the last couple seasons and I rate him very,very highly. Excellent dribbler of the ball, can go inside and out and is pacy.

Got 12 G/A in 26 games this year despite Leeds being horse shit. If we get him, especially at the price being touted, it's a very good signing.

Is he fast? If Demebele leaves we definitely need someone faster than Ferran.

 

[fergus90]

Is he fast? If Demebele leaves we definitely need someone faster than Ferran.

Clocked in the Top 10 for fastest players this season in the PL.

 

[gregorrin10]

Ferran isn't slow. Can easily catch balls in behind the defence with a combination of great movement and good pace.

Regarding Raphinha it's a bit of a gamble for Leeds. They can agree those 35m now and earn more than they will if the get relegated.

But then again, I don't think rumours of a bid are true. Can't see why Barca would be so early, unless they want to avoid a bidding war in case Leeds stay up.

By now it's looking very likely that Leeds will infact stay up, don't see either Burnley or Watford gaining 8 points on them in the last 10 rounds or so. The last two consecutive wins, 94th minute winner against last placed Norwich, and then a big comeback to win at Wolves last week probably already ensured Leeds's survival more or less.

So I would believe that that's exactly what Barca wants with this early bid, avoid a bidding war. Cause I see Liverpool coming into the fold pretty early in the summer, if they don't extend Salah, which is looking more and more likely at this point. Raphinha would be exactly the kind of winger I see Klopp wishing for. And I imagine Raphinha would actually prefer to stay in the PL, since he's acclimated so well there. Especially if he had an offer from one of the three main title candidates.

As for Liverpool, they know Klopp's genenpress isn't doing any favors to their players, and especially wingers, who rely on their pace more than anything. With both Mane and Salah approaching 30 years old, I can't imagine Liverpool plan to extend either of them. At best, one of them, and even that for max. 2 years, to keep as rotation options. They pretty much already replaced Mane, when they bought Diaz from Porto in January. And Raphinha is a very similar profile, only on the other side.

Not to mention maybe even Bayern joining the race, if they can't extend Gnabry, which does seem to be in the rumour mill lately. So if Xavi wants Raphinha, we need to lock him down early, before any of the PL teams or Bayern get involved in the bidding.

 

[mc_lovin]

Would be weird for him to want to stay in the PL when Barcelona calls.

 

[Joan]

By now it's looking very likely that Leeds will infact stay up, don't see either Burnley or Watford gaining 8 points on them in the last 10 rounds or so. The last two consecutive wins, 94th minute winner against last placed Norwich, and then a big comeback to win at Wolves last week probably already ensured Leeds's survival more or less.

So I would believe that that's exactly what Barca wants with this early bid, avoid a bidding war. Cause I see Liverpool coming into the fold pretty early in the summer, if they don't extend Salah, which is looking more and more likely at this point. Raphinha would be exactly the kind of winger I see Klopp wishing for. And I imagine Raphinha would actually prefer to stay in the PL, since he's acclimated so well there. Especially if he had an offer from one of the three main title candidates.

As for Liverpool, they know Klopp's genenpress isn't doing any favors to their players, and especially wingers, who rely on their pace more than anything. With both Mane and Salah approaching 30 years old, I can't imagine Liverpool plan to extend either of them. At best, one of them, and even that for max. 2 years, to keep as rotation options. They pretty much already replaced Mane, when they bought Diaz from Porto in January. And Raphinha is a very similar profile, only on the other side.

Not to mention maybe even Bayern joining the race, if they can't extend Gnabry, which does seem to be in the rumour mill lately. So if Xavi wants Raphinha, we need to lock him down early, before any of the PL teams or Bayern get involved in the bidding.

The bid would make sense if Leeds position was uncertain and they take more money now. Their club must be optimistic about staying so don't see them taking on our offer.

The player preferring Barca could help us negotiate but don't count on locking him down early for some decent amount.

 

[gregorrin10]

How good is this guy? What are his weaknesses and strengthens? How good is he in comparison to Dembouz?

I'd say pretty similar to Dembele. He can definitely match Dembele's pace, while having better ball control and not being as erratic, which can be good and bad. Probably not as creative though, but which winger is more creative than Dembele right now?

And considering Raphinha also played under Bielsa for a few years, I can imagine him fitting perfectly into Xavi's demands of running his ass off, handling the high and continuous pressure on the opponent just fine. I can also see Raphinha elevate his game even further offensively, especially in terms of goals and assists, with finally coming to a big club, under a top manager. Similar to what he'd do if he joins Liverpool and Klopp turns him into a beast, which will happen, if we don't get him.

 

[Birdy]

IMO, we should buy him IRRESPECTIVE of Dembele

If Dembele decides to renew, then Raphinia will be RW and Dembele LW
not a problem having two WC wingers on either side of the pitch

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

IMO, we should buy him IRRESPECTIVE of Dembele

If Dembele decides to renew, then Raphinia will be RW and Dembele LW
not a problem having two WC wingers on either side of the pitch

True and we need depth. Both sides should have decent backup.

 

[Porque]

IMO, we should buy him IRRESPECTIVE of Dembele

If Dembele decides to renew, then Raphinia will be RW and Dembele LW
not a problem having two WC wingers on either side of the pitch

Where would Ferran be? And not where would you play him, but Xavi.

Not against the idea of bringing Raphinha and keeper Dembele though, just odd you left out Ferran.

 

[Birdy]

Where would Ferran be? And not where would you play him, but Xavi.

Not against the idea of bringing Raphinha and keeper Dembele though, just odd you left out Ferran.

Ferran can play CF.
His off-the ball movement, his biggest skill, will be utilized there.

Auba is old, can still be top option, but not to play every game.

Having 4 top choices (Dembele, Raphnia, Ansu, Ferran) for 3 position, and 2 more rotational options (Auba, Adama) for the same positions is fine on my book

You have always 2 options for every position, 1 top and 1 rotational

 

[gregorrin10]

Ferran can play CF.
His off-the ball movement, his biggest skill, will be utilized there.

Auba is old, can still be top option, but not to play every game.

Having 4 top choices (Dembele, Raphnia, Ansu, Ferran) for 3 position, and 2 more rotational options (Auba, Adama) for the same positions is fine on my book

You have always 2 options for every position, 1 top and 1 rotational

If we buy Raphinha (and possibly keep Dembele), we absolutely don't need Adama then (and shouldn't keep him). Much rather we give that 6th forward spot to Torre and bring him on the first team on occasion, while him still playing regularly for the B team the rest of the time.

 

[Devils]

Raphinha is FC Barcelona's priority, if Demb?l? leaves the club; Leeds United want €40M for the player. [MENTION=20388]luis[/MENTION]_F_Rojo