khaled_a_d
Senior Member
Balde is a good player that comes through the academy to bolster the club and even the 11.
The issue isn't really that he is not at the level but more that both fullbacks are not at the level offensively.
A bit deeper and the bigger issue is that he got a bit of hype, was tied to Mendes and now has his leverage to get a contract higher than his actual value. Like Ansu. This is the cancer from without.
Having all your talents under a super agent is an issue we have right now. Mendes is better than Raiola was, but you can't let one Porkchop monopolize the menu.
But yeah, issue is that the salary cap ammassed on Balde and Kounde are way to high for what they offer.
When Kounde is better at both ends, while being healthier, it is difficult to say it is a problem for both fullbacks. One is clearly inferior to the other.
I agree regarding Mendes, although Gavi (De La Pena), Pedri (LEADERBROCK), Bernal (CMG), Casado (Wasserman), Fort (AC talents) & Cubarsi aren't his clients.
He has 4 young players we are connected to:
Nico who isn't here, and he has done a decent job marketing him.
Fati who is done as an elite footballer, sadly.
Balde & Lamine. Essentially, those are the only 2 important guy for us that are hus clients.
Balde has 3 more years left in his contract, at the moment he has no leverage in contract. I don't know if he is overpaid or not tbh. He might be, due to renewing at the right time.