Barca Transfers and Rumors

[Neeraj]

Our midfield looked as bad as it did is because it lacked both mobility as well as skill. Previously, we've had extreme skill running the show so our lack of ability didn't hurt as much (though Iniesta was more mobile back then, he was never really that mobile. I'd say Xavi was probably the most mobile of our trinity).

Now, we are left with extreme immobility in Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Gomes, Turan, etc. - not ONE of them can get around the pitch. To add to that, we have very little skill/creativity in there too. You just cannot afford to have neither. Which is why fans were so desperate for Verratti as he is one of those few guys who brings both.

Now that Verratti is out of the picture, if you were to ask me, I'd actually say mobility is more important than skill right now (unless you're brining someone absolutely WC, which isn't happening). We have tremendous creativity with Neymar and Messi, with Busquets to boot. So we could, in theory, be fine this season if we just got a Kante / Matuidi type player who can glide across the pitch. I believe work horses are easier to obtain than a real CM maestro. We really should focus on sorting that part out - because we are always going to need someone like that, irrespective of who we get next season. Mobility is key - as PSG and Juventus demonstrated against us.

 

[serghei]

Too bad we didn't sign Bellerin for 70m, or Kyle Walker for 60m.

Some users will never be happy no matter what. Some think Barca can just sign whatever player they want, just like that. Barca is 'just' a great club in a market filled with big financially potent clubs. Signing players from other ambitious clubs who want to improve is very hard to pull off, near impossible at this stage.

 

[Zincubus]

Signing Bonucci for 40m euros would be ridiculous for us. At 30, we dont know how many years he has left at the highest level.

Isn't Bonucci younger than Pique , Suarez and Messi ... are you concerned about their careers as well ..

 

[Zincubus]

Some users will never be happy no matter what. Some think Barca can just sign whatever player they want, just like that. Barca is 'just' a great club in a market filled with big financially potent clubs. Signing players from other ambitious clubs who want to improve is very hard to pull off, near impossible at this stage.

It's hardly surprising that we have high expectations given the illustrious names we've bought in over the decades ....

 

[xXKonan]

Isn't Bonucci younger than Pique , Suarez and Messi ... are you concerned about their careers as well ..

Boncucci is the same age as Pique,Suarez and Messi.

 

[Zincubus]

Our midfield looked as bad as it did is because it lacked both mobility as well as skill. Previously, we've had extreme skill running the show so our lack of ability didn't hurt as much (though Iniesta was more mobile back then, he was never really that mobile. I'd say Xavi was probably the most mobile of our trinity).

Now, we are left with extreme immobility in Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Gomes, Turan, etc. - not ONE of them can get around the pitch. To add to that, we have very little skill/creativity in there too. You just cannot afford to have neither. Which is why fans were so desperate for Verratti as he is one of those few guys who brings both.

Now that Verratti is out of the picture, if you were to ask me, I'd actually say mobility is more important than skill right now (unless you're brining someone absolutely WC, which isn't happening). We have tremendous creativity with Neymar and Messi, with Busquets to boot. So we could, in theory, be fine this season if we just got a Kante / Matuidi type player who can glide across the pitch. I believe work horses are easier to obtain than a real CM maestro. We really should focus on sorting that part out - because we are always going to need someone like that, irrespective of who we get next season. Mobility is key - as PSG and Juventus demonstrated against us.

If mobility is the key in midfield then Chelsea will be decent as they've already got Kante and they've just signed Babayoko

 

[Zincubus]

Boncucci is the same age as Pique,Suarez and Messi.

My point still stands then .... we can't write Bonucci off if he's the same age as our main players ...


Apologies for even mentioning Bonucci as he's not connected to this thread .

 

[Hamzah]

Our midfield looked as bad as it did is because it lacked both mobility as well as skill. Previously, we've had extreme skill running the show so our lack of ability didn't hurt as much (though Iniesta was more mobile back then, he was never really that mobile. I'd say Xavi was probably the most mobile of our trinity).

Now, we are left with extreme immobility in Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Gomes, Turan, etc. - not ONE of them can get around the pitch. To add to that, we have very little skill/creativity in there too. You just cannot afford to have neither. Which is why fans were so desperate for Verratti as he is one of those few guys who brings both.

Now that Verratti is out of the picture, if you were to ask me, I'd actually say mobility is more important than skill right now (unless you're brining someone absolutely WC, which isn't happening). We have tremendous creativity with Neymar and Messi, with Busquets to boot. So we could, in theory, be fine this season if we just got a Kante / Matuidi type player who can glide across the pitch. I believe work horses are easier to obtain than a real CM maestro. We really should focus on sorting that part out - because we are always going to need someone like that, irrespective of who we get next season. Mobility is key - as PSG and Juventus demonstrated against us.

Paulinho is our man then, also Roberto can now play in midfield and he is mobile

 

[Neeraj]

If mobility is the key in midfield then Chelsea will be decent as they've already got Kante and they've just signed Babayoko

Well, Chelsea don't have what we've got ahead and behind in MSN and Busi. But your're right, Chelsea could be a decent fight with their mobile midfield.

Paulinho is our man then, also Roberto can now play in midfield and he is mobile

I completely agree with the forum on it's stance against Paulinho. He is clearly not a great player. However, he is quite mobile. I wouldn't actually mind a signing like his if it's coming in cheap, maybe for 15m or so. Also, it would have to be an additional signing, a bonus. However, it seems we are/were after him as our main midfield target; the one to fix our midfield and add quality. That's obviously ludicrous. Not only that, at the price being quoted for him, I'd rather have La Masia kids running around putting in their best.

As for Roberto, yes he is - which is why I feel how Valverde uses him (whether he benches him a lot in favor of Gomes, etc.) and how he responds if he gets a mainstay in the midfield, could make or break our season, IMHO.

 

[Hamzah]

There's also player out there like Sami khedira who are worth a punt if a box to box player is what's needed

 

[Zincubus]

There's also player out there like Sami khedira who are worth a punt if a box to box player is what's needed

I do hope you're not serious !!

 

[Zincubus]

So ..... Don't shoot the messenger ...

This is a transfer rumours forum after all BUT ....

According to Sport - Barca are going to offer 70 million Euros plus Rakitic to PSG for Verratti.

Now PSG's coach, Unai Emery, worked with Rakitic when they were at Sevilla together. back then Rakitic was the star and captain of the Europa League winning team so there could be something in this after all ???

 

[vuji_31]

Yeah I would rather keep Rakitić few more seasons ... He is decent...I can't says that for Arda and Rafinha...
Knowing Verratti is like always injured like this two I would rather give 25 million for Seri or someone like him and buy some young talent like Dembele...

 

[Zincubus]

Don Balon says AC Milan are also interested in Rakitic. !

 

[khaled_a_d]

Don Balon says AC Milan are also interested in Rakitic. !

That means they aren't