3 - Alejandro Balde

[Andresito]

He is what we thought Semedo would be. Very athletic with winger-level dribbling ability. Unlike Semedo he is also not brainless and can actually defend.

We're set for the next 12-15 years with him at LB

Dawg the "set for X years" always pans out badly.

 

[FCBarca]

Biggest LB talent in world football IMHO. Just need to add depth to ensure competition for a developing talent like him

 

[Andresito]

He's currently the same age as Davies was when he met Semedo.
Could current Balde turn Semedo inside out? Most probably.

 

[JamDav1982]

Once he learns to cross a better ball from deep and cuts down on some of his errors he can be as good as anyone.

Also versatile and if Xavi wanted to play a back four that turns into a back three on ball and one steps up he can stay back and be almost unbeatable on break for pace.

 

[vuji_31]

Said it from first day I saw him.

He was gliding through oponents.

 

[FC B]

Great talent for his age, hope he'll continue to improve in the next seasons.

 

[delancey]

He plays very similarly to Alba, and the guy is only 19 years old. He clearly has an eye for football, having studied Alba and replicating what he learned. We are so fortunate to have him.

 

[jamrock]

He plays nothing like alba.

Put simple alba crosses
Balde beats his man for pace off the dribble.

He will probably never be as good as crossing the ball as Alba.

Alba was never as good at beating his defender off the dribble

 

[Horatio]

Hahaha like Alba. Alba never takes on opponents. Doesnt weave left right when dribbling with ball. Alba keeps everything very simple cause he limited. Balde looks more creative. Does need to work a bit on the cross.

 

[FCBarca]

He’s definitely not similar to Alba but I do think Balde has to improve in terms of crossing the ball - its an important skill for a LB that will leave him less reliant on always beating his marker for pace

A defender can’t be one dimensional even if its unreal pace

 

[JamDav1982]

If Balde continues to improve he will be more versatile than Alba was.

Particularly with way football is going and at least one defender stepping into midfield more and more leaving a back three.

Balde doing that would be huge weapon with his pace on left of a back three in that set up when defending a team on the break.

 

[CatalinR10]

 

[Jaguar]

Hope Balde is okay. Amath has to be banned for 8 matches at the very least for that tackle. The clear intent from that leg breaking tackle was so obvious I wouldn’t be surprised if Florentino himself paid Mallorca or Amath for that tackle. Horrible.

 

[soul24rage]

FFS

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1662879710223777792

 

[FCMessi]

is Barca phucked on the US tour with Alonso LB ?