Alberto Botía

[karthik]

I havent seen Botia at Barca's youth teams. I have seen him only when Gijon plays against us or Madrid. He always puts in good performances. But the point is against these two teams Gijon just try to defend and Botia loks one of the best among the bunch. I wonder what are his records against other teams in the league? It wud be good to see him coming back if he can help us out in our systm and I wud like to see Fontas/Bartra in teams which try to play ball out of the defence. What r ur opinions mates?

 

[Aryagorn]

@Karthik

he's been good man. He's been consistently good for them. Preciado also thinks he is ready for Barca and he wants to take another youth player from us on loan, in the lines of Botia...so he'd happily send the player back

You have to understand that although he does play for a low level team who tend to play very defensive system, he did come through our youth ranks so the risk factor of him not being able to adapt is actually pretty low. And then his pace is really under-rated, he actually is pretty fast, which means he could adapt to the high line easily, and could be a good partner for Pique. Moreover the club does rate him, that's why the buy-out clause been included.
Critics say he's one of the best young defenders in the league and has huge scope for improvement. The return to Barca and a Spain call-up are not too far away, they say. If he does get back to us in the summer, I won't be surprised if he played for Spain in the Euros

 

[KluivertsBoots]

There's no way Pep passes up the buy-back on a cantera product who has proven himself in league play. Two central defenders are needed, but neither should be (or can be) a high cost purchase. The big money will go for Cesc and/or the striker.

 

[Barcaman]

Botia has been picked in European last week's best 11 by L'Équipe.

 

[KluivertsBoots]

 

[Aryagorn]

Botia has been picked in European last week's best 11 by L'Équipe.

Great!

To think Botia now has more Liga experience than Pique had at his age

it'd be foolish to let go of this opportunity... 'Sport' journalists are the worst bunch of dumbasses to suggest involve Botia in a makeshift deal or make a profit of him! I'm sure 'Sporting might be thinking that the club would involve him in a makeshift deal' thing is also just to cover up that bullshit. Preciado clearly said he thinks Botia is ready for Barca!!

 

[Barcaman]

Buy back Botia and send Fontas to Gijon.

 

[KluivertsBoots]

Buy, buy, buy

 

[Seamus]

Really hope Botia is bought back it, would end that sold with buy back curse.

 

[Trequartista]

Him returning to the club will depend mainly on other club's transfers
If the team spend too much on forwards then he will be bought,which is unlikely since it looks that Barca will sign only someone like Rossi so there will be some money to spend on a defender,as much as I would like it to happen,cant see it happening
I really liked what I have seen from him from the few matches I watched for him but I am sure Pep is not a big fan and he prefers other youth products in that position

 

[jamrock]

four days left for us to activate the buy back clause, i can't believe the club and pep is letting such an excellent defender go, must teams would kill to be able to get a player like him for 2m euros.

he is better than fontas for sure.

 

[Metaphysical]

four days left for us to activate the buy back clause, i can't believe the club and pep is letting such an excellent defender go, must teams would kill to be able to get a player like him for 2m euros.

he is better than fontas for sure.

that's the thing though, isn't it? he IS better than Fontas. he's better than a lot of CB's and too good to be our 4th choice. sure, we could buy him back and sell him for 10m or something, but that'd be unfair to Sporting who have contributed to his development. we should try and extend the buyback clause a year or two, coz we'll probs need this kid in a season or so when Puyi and Abi get even older.

 

[FCBarca]

I really have liked Botia, especially at Gijon...He looks a real leader for them - clearly a solid addition to any side...Despite not putting a wrong foot against England, he seemed a bit nervous or uneasy playing...Perhaps it's the instructions given by Milla but I can't imagine it was nerves, right?...He's usually quite commanding on the pitch but I found more tentative than usual - maybe it's just me

 

[Aryagorn]

that's the thing though, isn't it? he IS better than Fontas. he's better than a lot of CB's and too good to be our 4th choice. sure, we could buy him back and sell him for 10m or something, but that'd be unfair to Sporting who have contributed to his development. we should try and extend the buyback clause a year or two, coz we'll probs need this kid in a season or so when Puyi and Abi get even older.

Puyi sure won't be playing many here onwards... probably more of the important matches. so Botia won't exactly be the 4th choice.

Also he needs to be eased back into the team/game first. He plays well with Sporting but that's a totally different setup and he does need to get back to the rhythm of playing the high line defending. So yeah it's better if he gets back before they get older

Anyway the buy-back clause is there for 3 years I guess. And I'm not sure if it's gone after 4 days like jam says because the player himself said he thinks his agent will inform him any developments, if there are, after the U21 tourney

 

[.blitzer]

@barcastuff
Barcelona won't buy back Sporting centre back Botia (22) for 1.8M. If they want him from Thursday on, they have to pay 2.5M. [cat radio]