21 - Frenkie de Jong

[ZenI]

As said earlier im sure Hansi plans with Olmo, Pedri, De Jong

Fermin, Casado, Gavi as super-subs

And than we'll have Bernal also, might get crowded - we're yet to see of course how Bernal performs after his injury. But the "good" thing with both Fermin and Pedri (even Gavi) is that they can play more attacking and Fermin could even be utilized on the wings. All we need when everybody is back from injury is an LB, a winger like Nico and a striker when Lewa declines (but we'll probably wait until after next season). That's like 120ish million and we would be set for years - if we're lucky we could even find an LB in Masia, Valle might for example be enough if he does good in Celtic and we have some wingers cooking in Masia but we'll probably move for Nico anyway.

 

[Andresito]

He's not going to renew for less money. If anything he renews on same conditions.

 

[ZenI]

He's not going to renew for less money. If anything he renews on same conditions.

We won’t accept that, no way - or rather, we won't propose that.
That wage was from the time we didn't have control or structure over our wages - that's what got us in trouble in the first place. Pedri, Kounde and Olmo are all on about 10M - there is no way in hell we'll propose Frenkie 25M, what for? He's not selling shirts and he isn't carrying us for shit - he's a midfielder among other midfielders even better than him. Lewa is on 20M, but he's been one of the best strikers of his generation and a "big" name that sells shirts. Frenkie better get with the program, he got lucky Barto was a stupid motherfucker - Frenkie won't get a cent more than 15M from any-fucking-body in Europe, that's 100%. So he either pens a new contract for 10-15M with us or moves to United and get under 15M as well. We won't offer him 25 or 20, Laporta ain't that stupid and we won't unsettle our other players and fuck our wage structure up. "Superstars"will be on about 20M in the future and the bracket with Pedri, Kounde, Olmo will be on under 15M - than the Casado's and Balde's will be on 7-10M - than the rest...
So it's simple, renew under 15 or we sell him - we got more than enough midfielders when Bernal will be back. Ain't nobody going to miss him much.

 

[Porque]

Frenkie will get some pretty huge offers on a free transfer I'd imagine. It's a slippery slope that's pointing to a Dembele like sale amount to someone.

 

[Horatio]

He's not going to renew for less money. If anything he renews on same conditions.

Yes he might very likely. Doesn't want to play anywhere else. Where is he supposed to play?

 

[ajnotkeith]

We will almost certainly renew him, we don't have the funds to let go of great players as long as they want to stay because replacing him will be far more expensive than keeping him is.

 

[Horatio]

He's living best life with wifey, kid and dog in Barca. And he just wants to play quality football. Barca is top contending team under Flick. He will want to stay before anything else.

 

[ajnotkeith]

There's no way Gavi gets ahead of De Jong this season. Gavi will be lucky if he gets starts considering his time off and that he doesn't really do anything defined unlike the other 5 options.

I agree, I think Gavi is going to struggle for starts this season, I see De Jong, Casado, Pedri and Olmo ahead of him, he can compete with Fermin but they have different styles.

As you very correctly pointed out Casado is a very similar type to Gavi in his tenacity and defensive work rate but has more tactical discipline. For that role, I think Casado will be preferred and paired with De Jong.

 

[jamrock]

Casado is a completely different player from Gavi, he is a pure DM, which is why he's so tactically disciplined.

What are we even saying here guys, come on.

 

[Porque]

I agree, I think Gavi is going to struggle for starts this season, I see De Jong, Casado, Pedri and Olmo ahead of him, he can compete with Fermin but they have different styles.

As you very correctly pointed out Casado is a very similar type to Gavi in his tenacity and defensive work rate but has more tactical discipline. For that role, I think Casado will be preferred and paired with De Jong.

Casado is doing everything correctly in a limited capacity. I don't want to make everything about Xavi, but it is a surprise he didn't see a little bit of young himself in Casado and gave him more opportunities. That assist last night was even an overly calculated pass and very Xavi like.

There's a chance im overlooking Gavi btw. But from when he was fit, he fouls way too much without being productive in disposing possession. Even last night his first action was practically getting a yellow against Vini.

 

[DonAK]

Gavi being positionally undisciplined is a correctable thing and I think he'll do that very quickly under Flick.
What sets Casado apart from both Gavi and Frenkie though is that creative flair in him. I really like the Verratti comparison someone here made.

When you have Raphinha and Lewandowski making those runs, having someone that is able to set them up 1v1 is a luxury to have and could be vital in a tough game to get that early lead and momentum swing.

Casado so far this season have done that a few times, and been very close to doing it other times.
That's something Gavi and Frenkie haven't shown on a consistent basis. They have other strengths though.

 

[Co0ter]

fermin was really bad, we played with player less in the midfield...but i didnt see anything de jong had that gavi couldnt bring in second half

Gavi has a hard time getting himself into the game and at times even getting touches on the ball. You could blame Xavi, but as bad as a lot of our players were under Xavi others still got on the ball.

Gavi and De Jong are nothing alike, Gavi and "bring stability" should never been in the same sentence.

 

[soul24rage]

Gavi can also play as a backup for Raphinha at that LW position if needed

Season is long so everyone will have decent amount of games.

 

[jamrock]

When gavi comes in and starts crushing it, some will act surprised like with raphinha.

Others, will say we told you so.

 

[Porque]

Let's not forget that Gavi was starting here in his first season under Xavi as the 4th midfielder on the left wing.

There's a chance Flick Mighty Kim Jun Yens him there too for minutes.