24 - Thomas Vermaelen

[DonAK]

Mathieu injured? No, he isn't. Why he wasn't in the match squad could be with that he just recovered, it's pre-season... and they want to take it easy and don't bring him back too quickly when the season starts in a couple of weeks.

 

[CatalinR10]

 

[ebc_99]

Mathieu has already recovered and Vermaelen's injury is nothing serious... Pique and Bartra are ready to play and dont forget Mascherano is still a good option at centre back.

Thats depth lady.

Exactly, and how many clubs have better options than us at CB anyway?

 

[jamrock]

I think you should try being a fanboy of Real Madrid, i mean signing only exciting players is kinda their thingy. Listen to yourself : "gives depth we needed - but that's about it". More or less every year, club has signed a world class superstar, to please the likes of you, this year they have actually managed to sign 2 experienced and good CBs, something everyone has wanted for years and a superstar and its still: meh. Every signing has to be over 50 mil for you, so you would be excited? What is the matter with people like you.

look at this kid,telling me about real madrid

 

[JamDav1982]

For those mocking the club about lack of depth still... care to answer how many CBs you want at the club?

Gone very quiet when asked that question.

 

[Ghost]

It doesnt but I wouldnt always look to the water tight defences as being the best. What Barca need is a defence that gives a the rest of the team the platform to perform.

The best example I can think of this is Argentina from the world cup. Their defence was shocking in the first few games as they tried to get more men forward to support Messi, the result was that they were shaky at back but Messi scored 4 goals in 3 games.

The dodgy defence and injury to Di Maria caused Sabella to take a much more defensive approach where the full backs were reigned in and Mascherano almost played as a third CB at times. The result was they barely conceded another goal and players like Garay were held up as stars in that system. However Messi was isolated and was not given the platform to affect games in the same ways as he had much less support.

Barca ALWAYS have to go with the first way and have a high defence with defenders that can take initiative and snuff out threats even if pulled into full back areas. It is much more difficult to defend that way but Barca have to do that to support the possession game and get lots of players forward.

Thats why it is not accurate to hold up defences like Chelsea or Atletico compared to Barca as they are being asked to do different jobs.

Wow.

JamDav......making sense..??..

 

[jamrock]

I'm not exactly happy about him coming, but for 10m, who else would? There aren't really great cb's available.

yeah, I get that, which is why i said great or someone with potential, so player must haven't heard about, but at least they have done their due diligence. so we would just have to wait and see how he would develop.

With thomas, they just signed the easiest player they could think of it seems, and i am not impressed

 

[Chainsaw]

It will most likely not be three centre backs all the time anyway and if it is Masch can play there.

How many more CBs do you want to see the club sign this summer?

With how much we hear about Barca's interest in Cuardado the chance that we see the 3-2-3-2 of Lucho is pretty much high. And for a 3 man defence you need at least, I repeat "at least" 5 CBs in the squad for a long season. With Vermi's injuries history and Mathieu hitting 31 this season we could face another crisis in CB position to play 3-2-3-2. I'm really not counting on this Vermguy tbh. It's like having 3 and a half CBs. I'm so sick of feeding Arsenal for having their scrubs in return.

 

[JamDav1982]

yeah, I get that, which is why i said great or someone with potential, so player must haven't heard about, but at least they have done their due diligence. so we would just have to wait and see how he would develop.

With thomas, they just signed the easiest player they could think of it seems, and i am not impressed

Signing players with 'potential' is the riskiest thing to do.

The club spent 50m on CBs doing just that and those players barely kicked a ball for the club.

It is far more sensible to spend 10m on Vermaelen than take a risk on some relatively unknown player especially as may be two years before get chance to sign CBs again.

 

[LeeRomeno]

look at this kid,telling me about real madrid

Kid? funny, coming from someone who has not even seen this club in trouble and is probably one from the 08/09 gloryhunter generation. That explains quite a bit as well. And yes Real Madrid, which has been for last 20 years based on trying to get the best and most exciting players in the world. Sure sounds something you would enjoy.

 

[JamDav1982]

With how much we hear about Barca's interest in Cuardado the chance that we see the 3-2-3-2 of Lucho is pretty much high. And for a 3 man defence you need at least, I repeat "at least" 4 CBs in the squad for a long season. With Vermi's injuries history and Mathieu hitting 31 this season we could face another crisis in CB position to play 3-2-3-2. I'm really not counting on this Vermguy tbh. It's like having 3 and a half CBs. I'm so sick of feeding Arsenal for having their scrubs in return.

Vermaelen has been available for over 40 games in each of the past two seasons and Mathieu has barely missed a game. Those two and Mash give the option of five CBs. There is no way the squad needs another one.

 

[XaviMessiGirl]

Kid? funny, coming from someone who has not even seen this club in trouble and is probably one from the 08/09 gloryhunter generation. That explains quite a bit as well. And yes Real Madrid, which has been for last 20 years based on trying to get the best and most exciting players in the world. Sure sounds something you would enjoy.

Sorry, but how do you know how long he's been a fan? And arrogance isn't welcome here just because you disagree with someone.

(For the record, I do agree with your general point. While the CB's we signed aren't the ones I'd pick, at least we did solve the depth problem. Maybe in a couple years we can get a truly WC one. Also, if we had more than 4 CB's, when all are fit you risk someone not getting enough playing time.)

 

[Chainsaw]

LeeRomeno, stop acting like the sheriff of forum everytime you disagree with some people. I know Barca fans of over 40 years who have astounding views on the club it's hilarious. Having different opinions barely have anything to do with how long you've been a fan of a certain team.

 

[LeeRomeno]

Sorry, but how do you know how long he's been a fan? And arrogance isn't welcome here just because you disagree with someone.

(For the record, I do agree with your general point. While the CB's we signed aren't the ones I'd pick, at least we did solve the depth problem. And if we had more than 4 CB's, when all were fit you risk someone not getting enough playing time.)

Define arrogance. And i don't know it, just an educated guess based on my vast experience of Barcelona fans over the years i have enjoyed this club.

 

[zanela]

That's harsh. I think "most" posters are just happy to not see a repeat of previous years when no defender was signed at all.

Signing aging injury-prone defenders whose availability over the season is a huge question mark is not something to be happy about. But this board has lowered culer's expectations to the point that some seem content with whatever. It's a gamble, one if it fails Barca 'll 've to make do with the same no. of CBs as last season. Thats not really an improvement in my book. When a transfer brings more uncertainties than a sense of optimism and security, its not a smart investment.

Besides, the older in athlete years, the longer the recovery period, even worse when that subject has a poor injury record. If we wanted to take the more eco. route, I'd rather the sec CB be someone younger and a more tangible asset.