Alexis Sanchez

[Pepe Silvia]

If you score a lot of goals, provide a lot of assists, show world class speed, passes and football understanding as Alexis has this season, then you are exactly what this team needs. I was probably the one calling for his head on a plate the loudest in here not long ago, but times have changed. This weekend was a pivotal game for Alexis, and he delivered. He showed that with Messi in the game he can be dangerous, be independent and functional using his own style (fused with Barca). My only worry is that with an ever-changing squad dynamic with players in and out injured constantly, that he, and Pedro for that matter, do not regress into the pathetic form that they showed last season. Manc will be interesting for me exclusively for the narrative above. I want to see us win, but I want to see how our guys do when pressure is on. I want to see us tested, and I want guys like Alexis and Pedro to see us through. Messi will be Messi, but it's time for some of our other guys to prove that we are more than a one-hit wonder with no weapons besides the GOAT, but that we are well rounded and should be feared from every angle. The way things are stacking up, Alexis understands this and is getting ready to unleash.

 

[tello]

I disagree with a few Pros.

For instance, Alexis is not that good a dribbler. He is good in open space, but in constricted space with players marking him (his role for Barca) he does too many sideway moves that end up with him tripping on his own feet, getting dispossessed, or a backwards pass. Statistically, he has barely averaged a dribble per game for Barca. This season he seem a little braver, but still I would not call him a dribbler.
His movement off the ball for the role he is asked to do for this team is also nothing to write home about.
His work rate is high, but his defensive contribution is really overrated.

I would also add first touch and balance to the list of Cons.

The problem with Alexis was he was brought to fill a role for which his skills are suitable. However, circumstances change that. When Alexis was brought, Barca had an in form Villa, and in form Pedro and Messi. Three players who fit the profile of direct, incisive forwards. What the team lacked was a creative support forward.
What happened was Villa lost form and got injured, was never the same, and Pedro's form also took a big dip. That forced Alexis into a role that was not suitable for him, that of the direct goalscorer on which the team depended on every game. Understandably he struggled and it hit him psychologically.

Nothing has really changed personnel wise still, but Tata has obviously told Alexis to play to his strength and what makes him comfortable. He has gained in confidence and shed his mental block, but that still does not change the fact that his skillset is not what this team needs. Alexis would excel in a situation that would afford him freedom, both positionally on the field and responsibility-wise, as in him not being required and depended on to scored every game.

You've made some accurate observations here

Indeed, Neymar took away any role that Alexis could have efficiently filled for this team. This is why I continue to maintain this team would do better with a more direct goalscoring forward in his place.

This !

What is a good job for a player having his position and his role on the team in your opinion?? You know he is not Messi and will never be, so what do you Think he should accomplish in his role for you to be satisfied im honestly curious? forget that his name is Alexis for a second (I know its hard..). It sure cant be that he scores to Little or assists to Little or is to lazy on the pitch. He fell to easily...did you see the pitch?

A good job for such a position at Barca is to be a better goal scorer, to have clear mind when in front of a goal, when crossing or when passing inside or close to the box and of course a better technical ability is a must !

Don't even think to compare him to Messi, please.

Alexis most times falls too easily and you know this very well, everybody knows it

 

[tello]

Manipulating stats much?

First of all, Alexis has played more games for Club and Country than any of the other 3 players, only Hazard comes close. Compared to Reus specifically, Alexis has played almost twice the games.

Secondly, this is like comparing apples and oranges. Alexis has a very prominent role in a decisively offensive club, and his prominence was only elevated in Messi's absence. The others? Di Maria is 4th fiddle at best in both Madrid and Argentina, plus he has more of a midfield role in both. Hazard plays for a defensively focused team, his opportunities to add to his individual stats are far less. Reus like I said has played a lot less games.

Finally, if you think Alexis is a better player than Hazard because 35 is bigger than 23, then you're off your rocker.

Sure. Alexis is very good but not for this position at Barca.

Eventually it's better to be seen as a "hater" of your own team when you just want to tell the truth to the masses than a "no-brainer"...

 

[evilhita666]

How can Neymar take away Alexis' role in the team? We play with three forwards, so having him and Pedro is a must, even as backups... Even if Neymar came to fill the role Alexis' was supposed to fill in the beginning, that doesn't mean Alexis' can't fill another role in the team, like he is doing now...

Funnily enough, Alexis is our top scorer in La Liga and has 8 goals in 2014, only surpassed by Negredo... Which goes to prove there's no pleasing some people and they keep moving the goalposts for Alexis... Last season people just wanted him to score, now he does it and suddenly that's not enough, he improves his overall play and he's still not good enough...

I'm not saying he's perfect, we all know what aspects of the game he needs to improve and it is no secret that he has yet to impress in certain scenarios, however that doesn't prevent from acknowledging he's been important for the club in the last whole year...

 

[kostasgtc]

Goals+assists... learn to read

still the same...

 

[kostasgtc]

Good play on devils advocate there, Sumlit.

On the flip side, Alexis has grown to fit his role at Barcelona. For all the flack Tata has received lately by our fans, one of his strongest praises could be instilling confidence in key players like Alexis, Cesc, and Bartra… perhaps even the reemergence of Valdez. So where he has been weak in perhaps motivating the core group or keeping fluidity in gameplay, he has excelled in man management and tactical variation.

+11111

 

[fcbdna]

Sure. Alexis is very good but not for this position at Barca.

Eventually it's better to be seen as a "hater" of your own team when you just want to tell the truth to the masses than a "no-brainer"...

Quote of the year!

 

[kostasgtc]

how can neymar take away alexis' role in the team? We play with three forwards, so having him and pedro is a must, even as backups... Even if neymar came to fill the role alexis' was supposed to fill in the beginning, that doesn't mean alexis' can't fill another role in the team, like he is doing now...

Funnily enough, alexis is our top scorer in la liga and has 8 goals in 2014, only surpassed by negredo... Which goes to prove there's no pleasing some people and they keep moving the goalposts for alexis... Last season people just wanted him to score, now he does it and suddenly that's not enough, he improves his overall play and he's still not good enough...

I'm not saying he's perfect, we all know what aspects of the game he needs to improve and it is no secret that he has yet to impress in certain scenarios, however that doesn't prevent from acknowledging he's been important for the club in the last whole year...

exactly that

 

[Trickykid]

Quote of the year!

Holy shit, it sure is rough times for the Barcaforum then

 

[Djab]

9 - Alexis Sanchez

Quote of the year!

It's like Ronaldo deserving BD.

 

[André]

Haha, wtf is going on here?! Enough is enough.

 

[Sumlit]

How can Neymar take away Alexis' role in the team? We play with three forwards, so having him and Pedro is a must, even as backups... Even if Neymar came to fill the role Alexis' was supposed to fill in the beginning, that doesn't mean Alexis' can't fill another role in the team, like he is doing now...

Funnily enough, Alexis is our top scorer in La Liga and has 8 goals in 2014, only surpassed by Negredo... Which goes to prove there's no pleasing some people and they keep moving the goalposts for Alexis... Last season people just wanted him to score, now he does it and suddenly that's not enough, he improves his overall play and he's still not good enough...

I'm not saying he's perfect, we all know what aspects of the game he needs to improve and it is no secret that he has yet to impress in certain scenarios, however that doesn't prevent from acknowledging he's been important for the club in the last whole year...

Alexis is a support forward. He is not a main forward type, nor is he a goal scoring forward. He is a creative winger, support forward type. He was brought at a time when Barca had 3 direct goal scoring forwards, as a creative and support alternative. The team lost one of those forwards to injury (Villa) and the other to form (Pedro) and that forced Alexis into a role he is not suited, hence the struggles. To this day, his role has remained the same because the team has failed to acquire other players that could take that responsibility away from him. Now however, Neymar, who himself is also another creative/support forward, has also put another roadblock in Alexis' possible return to the role he was brought to perform, in the case the team were to get another direct goal scoring forward. Keeping Alexis in this role that does not suit his skillset, is just handicapping both the player and the team.

I hope your comment about moving the goalposts was not directed at me, because I have been saying the same exact thing for some time now. My opinion about this has remained constant.

Btw have you noticed the way Alexis is scoring? Plenty of his goals are coming from fluky plays and tap ins borne out of great collective play. In the last 5 games for instance, Alexis has scored 5 goals, but two were fluky plays and the other 3 were simple tap-ins. I don't want to diminish too much these goals, because to score them at least it shows he is getting himself into good positions, however I merely do it to point out that the goals are not coming from brilliant individual play. He scored those 5 goals, but under other less fortunate circumstances, he might just as well have scored none.
This is important because fortune will not always be by your side, and collective play can be shut down by tough defenses. In these circumstances, individual brilliance is needed and I just don't think Alexis is the type of player who you can depend on to produce solo scoring efforts and/or individual scoring brilliance.

I have always maintained that Alexis is a very very good player. He has mounts of talent and has a great personality. However, IMHO, he is not the ideal fit for the role Barcelona require at this precise moment.

 

[evilhita666]

Alexis is a support forward. He is not a main forward type, nor is he a goal scoring forward. He is a creative winger, support forward type. He was brought at a time when Barca had 3 direct goal scoring forwards, as a creative and support alternative. The team lost one of those forwards to injury (Villa) and the other to form (Pedro) and that forced Alexis into a role he is not suited, hence the struggles. To this day, his role has remained the same because the team has failed to acquire other players that could take that responsibility away from him. Now however, Neymar, who himself is also another creative/support forward, has also put another roadblock in Alexis' possible return to the role he was brought to perform, in the case the team were to get another direct goal scoring forward. Keeping Alexis in this role that does not suit his skillset, is just handicapping both the player and the team.

I hope your comment about moving the goalposts was not directed at me, because I have been saying the same exact thing for some time now. My opinion about this has remained constant.

Btw have you noticed the way Alexis is scoring? Plenty of his goals are coming from fluky plays and tap ins borne out of great collective play. In the last 5 games for instance, Alexis has scored 5 goals, but two were fluky plays and the other 3 were simple tap-ins. I don't want to diminish too much these goals, because to score them at least it shows he is getting himself into good positions, however I merely do it to point out that the goals are not coming from brilliant individual play. He scored those 5 goals, but under other less fortunate circumstances, he might just as well have scored none.
This is important because fortune will not always be by your side, and collective play can be shut down by tough defenses. In these circumstances, individual brilliance is needed and I just don't think Alexis is the type of player who you can depend on to produce solo scoring efforts and/or individual scoring brilliance.

I have always maintained that Alexis is a very very good player. He has mounts of talent and has a great personality. However, IMHO, he is not the ideal fit for the role Barcelona require at this precise moment.

It wasn't directed at you, as you seem to actually have something to support your claims...

I get your point now when you speak of Neymar's role, I don't necessarily agree but I can totally understand where you are coming from... Unfortunately, we haven't had the chance to see them both in full form this season, for one reason or the other our attacking trident hasn't been at 100%, but I guess once that happens we'll be able to draw more conclusions about this subject...

The moving goalposts thing is a little bit related his goalscoring... I mean, Alexis finishing was certainly abysmal in the past, even simple tap-ins were a nightmare for him (and us), but the fact that he has actually improved in that area is a sign that he can still provide something to this team... While his last five goals have been sort of lucky as you say, he's had also brilliant moments this season, like against Madrid and Valladolid...

In the past, the pitchforks were out because he couldn't score in a goal the size of a rainbow and people wanted end product... So now he got over that, people are now using whatever other reason they find to degrade him, because what some people do here is not criticism but all-out "hating"...

 

[eye-switcher]

A good job for such a position at Barca is to be a better goal scorer, to have clear mind when in front of a goal, when crossing or when passing inside or close to the box and of course a better technical ability is a must !
Don't even think to compare him to Messi, please.
Alexis most times falls too easily and you know this very well, everybody knows it

A better goalscorer? really? how many have he scored this season? 14 i La liga, 16 in total(?) seriously you dont think you judge him unfairly, compared to how you judge any other player? nah, you just dont see it, blinded you are. And dont put Words in my mouth, I never compared him to Messi, quite the opposite. And the guy falls, yes sure but hell look at Busquets, look at Neymar, Look at Pedro, are you critisizing them for it ? no you dont, you have a whole other standard for Alexis to live up to, fair enough but its not objective.

 

[eye-switcher]

Alexis is a support forward. He is not a main forward type, nor is he a goal scoring forward. He is a creative winger, support forward type. He was brought at a time when Barca had 3 direct goal scoring forwards, as a creative and support alternative. The team lost one of those forwards to injury (Villa) and the other to form (Pedro) and that forced Alexis into a role he is not suited, hence the struggles. To this day, his role has remained the same because the team has failed to acquire other players that could take that responsibility away from him. Now however, Neymar, who himself is also another creative/support forward, has also put another roadblock in Alexis' possible return to the role he was brought to perform, in the case the team were to get another direct goal scoring forward. Keeping Alexis in this role that does not suit his skillset, is just handicapping both the player and the team.

I hope your comment about moving the goalposts was not directed at me, because I have been saying the same exact thing for some time now. My opinion about this has remained constant.

Btw have you noticed the way Alexis is scoring? Plenty of his goals are coming from fluky plays and tap ins borne out of great collective play. In the last 5 games for instance, Alexis has scored 5 goals, but two were fluky plays and the other 3 were simple tap-ins. I don't want to diminish too much these goals, because to score them at least it shows he is getting himself into good positions, however I merely do it to point out that the goals are not coming from brilliant individual play. He scored those 5 goals, but under other less fortunate circumstances, he might just as well have scored none.
This is important because fortune will not always be by your side, and collective play can be shut down by tough defenses. In these circumstances, individual brilliance is needed and I just don't think Alexis is the type of player who you can depend on to produce solo scoring efforts and/or individual scoring brilliance.

I have always maintained that Alexis is a very very good player. He has mounts of talent and has a great personality. However, IMHO, he is not the ideal fit for the role Barcelona require at this precise moment.

Seriously, your sounding as he is shit and could be replaced by just anybody, you last sentence doesnt make much sense together with the whole post. He is not suited for Barca? i dont get that, a guy that is in the right places, presses harder than anybody in the team, getting goals and assists, what more could he do or any other winger do on our team. My biggest problem with him as i have with a fair few players in our team is that he drifts in and out of games, can be stellar a half and almost invisible the next.