14 - Javier Mascherano

[Andrew M]

Mascherano had medical tests this morning. Despite feeling good, the Argentinean won't be ready for Wednesday's game against Bayern. [rac1]

Is this definitely confirmed? I thought that he was going to have decisive tests tomorrow?

 

[abual3bed1]

The test were this morning and he's almost 100% ruled out for Bayern's game.

 

[Andrew M]

The test were this morning and he's almost 100% ruled out for Bayern's game.

Oh well

 

[barcanuck]

Yay as long as he's ready for the CL final I'm good

 

[Stric]

Sadly, I don't see a place for him in the squad in the future. Song has been doing a great job replacing Busquets, so that's obviously not where he'll play (like he hasn't been playing for a while). We're probably getting a CB, so Pique, Bartra, Puyol and the new one will take care of those positions. Under the assumption that Bartra is staying, of course. He's too good to be a fourth/fifth choice CB (besides, he's not a CB), so I don't see what his role will be then. It's possible, though, considering what we've seen so far, that Mascherano will be the third choice CB rotating with Pique and the new one, and Puyol and Bartra will be further down in the pecking order.

 

[Ronnie10]

Sadly, I don't see a place for him in the squad in the future. Song has been doing a great job replacing Busquets, so that's obviously not where he'll play (like he hasn't been playing for a while). We're probably getting a CB, so Pique, Bartra, Puyol and the new one will take care of those positions. Under the assumption that Bartra is staying, of course. He's too good to be a fourth/fifth choice CB (besides, he's not a CB), so I don't see what his role will be then. It's possible, though, considering what we've seen so far, that Mascherano will be the third choice CB rotating with Pique and the new one, and Puyol and Bartra will be further down in the pecking order.

Last 3 years we were entering the season thinking that we have Puyol and Abidal. We even didnt bother to buy players, because we had Abidal and Puyol. For the same reason all these 3 years we came up short in defenders. Pretty much in most of the big games we had Pique and Mascherano. Their duo did more than a good job in defense, even if we lost to someone it was because we came up short in attack not in defense.
What if new CB or Pique gets injured? Which is highly possible if we buy T.Silva, who usually misses half of the season. Then we are gonna put Pique and Bartra against Madrid, Munchen and etc. I'm not considering Puyol, imo he is done already.

 

[Garrus]

He should be sold, We desperately need the money, We can easily get 20m euros from him.

 

[Barcaman]

Mascherano should stay. He can play 2 positions and fights for the club on the pitch. Unfortunately same can't be said for many Catalans in our squad.

 

[Garrus]

Actually He only plays in one position, He'll never play for us as DM, The same way song will never play for us as CB again.
I always admired his dedication and hard work, But his defensive qualities doesn't justifies his stay considering how much we can get by selling him, It's not an easy decision, And i'll certainly miss him, But we're in desperate times, Hard choices will inevitably have to be made.

 

[darthvader7888]

If we get 2 CBs (which some rumors say we will), we'll need to get rid of 1, coz we don't need 6. I'd loan Bartra and then maybe sell Masch the following season.

 

[Doobs]

I think Mascherano performed admirably at CB, he's gritty and in-your-face with his defending. Yes, there have been issues such being out of position and heading but he was generally very good. I don't think it would be wise to let him go. But with the arrival of a CB (maybe two) he'd go down in the pecking order. Wonder if he'd be okay with that.

 

[ShandyFFM]

 

[Stric]

Medical green light. Welcome back, Masch!

 

[mixer]

Great news!

I suppose he won't start tommorow, though.

 

[Dan1983]

He isn't needed if two CB are brought in the summer, because we have back up for Busquets in Song too.