5 - Carles Puyol

[Pepe Silvia]

What he lacked in pace he made up for with his heart. Well done, Cap'n Puyi.

 

[Barcafan 2304]

Hate to keep saying it but there were a couple of times when the lack of pace in the centre-half pairing was exposed. It is a weakness

 

[FCBarca]

Hate to keep saying it but there were a couple of times when the lack of pace in the centre-half pairing was exposed. It is a weakness

It's true, it was a weakness to a point but consider that it took a great pass from Wesley and a super pacy player in Robben for it to unlock a typically stout central pair in Pique & Puyol...Plus, let's face it, Spain were playing so high up the pitch with the Dutch sitting behind the ball, getting beat on that kind of ball could happen regardless of the speed of Puyol

I'm sure I'm not alone but the last thing I think of with the pair of Puyol & Pique is weakness

 

[Trequartista]

Hate to keep saying it but there were a couple of times when the lack of pace in the centre-half pairing was exposed. It is a weakness

Thats true,also Spain played with a high defensive line which didnt suit Puyol's pace but still he had a great tournament.

 

[Metaphysical]

look at the bottom of this list

 

[JamesFoster]

Fernando Hierro was literally the man of Iron.
I think Puyol should have be called Leon at birth. This guy always plays with the heart of a Lion.

 

[barca96]

look at the bottom of this list

i thought puyol was already in during van gaal's first time in charge..
but on that list, it shows that the 1st league title puyol won was in 2005.

 

[yusuf]

look at the bottom of this list

saw a report on goal.com which claims puyol will retire internationally at 90 caps sad for him but i believe it is the right decision

 

[Aryagorn]

sad for him!? He is retiring after being an integral part of a WC winning side!! How many would find!?

 

[JCCR_FCB]

If it is true, then it's the exactly moment for him... he's retire WC and EC... that's not for everyone...

 

[yusuf]

sad for him!? He is retiring after being an integral part of a WC winning side!! How many would find!?

i wish he would push on for the 100 caps, but it is the right decision

 

[maxan10]

he's done all he could have wished for with spain, there are people who can replace him so a good decision.

 

[barca96]

i dont think there are any quality CB to replace him.
perhaps manchena. but manchena is getting old too.
only left with madird pair albiol and arbeloa.
they are good, but nowhere near world class yet

 

[maxan10]

Puyol notices that his pace is diminishing and I think his solid partnership with Puyol aside, something can be conjured up, Albiol or Ramos with Arbeloa rb, etc, it would still spell a winning formula.

 

[barca96]

and this is the perfect time to retire, on a high.