6 - Carles Alena

[xXKonan]

I consider him an AM that can be used as a CM in the middle if he is paired up with the right players.

Like using someone like Cou in the middle except he is younger and seems to have an idea where to be if needed. Arthur-Alena was a balanced pair and it worked well because you had the Controller and you had the Attacking Midfielder.

Kinda like the old days with Xavi-Iniesta.

 

[Raketa10]

If he can continue to perform like he did yesterday we'll forget about De Jong in the blink of an eye. IMHO he was excellent!

 

[ebieymjunior]

I consider him an AM that can be used as a CM in the middle if he is paired up with the right players.

Like using someone like Cou in the middle except he is younger and seems to have an idea where to be if needed. Arthur-Alena was a balanced pair and it worked well because you had the Controller and you had the Attacking Midfielder.

Kinda like the old days with Xavi-Iniesta.

Been saying that for a while now

If, in the future we have
Arthur - Busquets - Aleña
and
De Jong - O. Busquets - Puig
With Roberto as joker

We'd be set in midfield

 

[Barcaman]

Depends on how you define a "CM"

For me, he is always been an AM, and I said it previously here that being a true CM will always be his biggest challenge because talent wise he has ton of it.
He always receives the ball in most advanced place between midfielders, many times even more advanced than some of our attackers, you will find him in opponents penalty area more than others.
That is why I believe when Messi play false 9 Alena is a perfect fit for midfield as he can make those attacking runs for Messi key pass and assists while doing his defensive work
But he needs a bit of improvement of understanding the patience needed for CM, the positioning and keeping outside of the box for longer than he desire.

Should compliment perfectly with Arthur who is more conservative. That Xavi-Iniesta dynamics.

 

[tacticvarium]

Should compliment perfectly with Arthur who is more conservative. That Xavi-Iniesta dynamics.

Except that Xavi in his prime ('05-'12 or '13) was never a conservative player..
You don't need to dribble past 2-3 opponents to be considered as an attacking player.

 

[serghei]

If he improves, we're gonna have to sell Coutinho.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

If he improves, we're gonna have to sell Coutinho.

That would be a good thing. We can sell Coutinho for over 100 million. I know, it would be a loss but we can use the hundred million on something else.

 

[Gnidrologist]

Except that Xavi in his prime ('05-'12 or '13) was never a conservative player..
You don't need to dribble past 2-3 opponents to be considered as an attacking player.

He was conservative as he regulated himself into metronome type of player even though he was much more attacking, even b2b earlier. Conservative as in less adventurous, more tactical. That he certainly become post Rijkaard.

 

[God Serena]

If he improves, we're gonna have to sell Coutinho.

He's definitely going to improve. Even with virtually no faith from Valverde and coming back from a 6 month injury, he's still improving...

 

[YodaMaster]

Valverde has a serious problem. In his mind AM = winger.
What's the fucking point of playing this kid on the wing, especially the LEFT wing ?

 

[Nothanks]

It's very promising to see he at the very least would be a very good rotational player for us
if he continues to improve he'll be a starter within 2 years.

 

[Jakabor]

Very good option to come off the bench or start in some matches.

Hopefully he can continue his good form.

 

[Barcaman]

Very good option to come off the bench or start in some matches.

Hopefully he can continue his good form.

Agreed. Clearly showed he's a good backup to have at this point.

 

[SeloBarca]

Dropped more balls in attack in the second half then the ballboys

 

[Raketa10]

Bad game but he was played out of the position.