Barca Transfers and Rumors

[khaled_a_d]

Need to go for Eriksen and that way we don't even need to splash 100 mil on Griezmann, would rather see it spent on Eriksen, and play the attack like it was tonight against Villarreal...we look much more fluid with both Coutinho and Dembele actually running and playing defense too, not to mention having the pace a winger needs to have for attacking. And so that Messi is the only one, who doesn't need to play defense which is how it should be. Tired of watching Suarez being sluggish on the wing, when he clearly isn't made to play there, he's a pure 9, he's not Villa who could play on the wing equally as good. And us defending with only 8 players, while Suarez and Messi both just walk casually.

We clearly aren't gonna witness Messi going back to RW ever again (probably more likely that he moves even further back into midfield for his last season or two here), but until then he'll play in the middle of the attack, and since that's Suarez's best position too, we need to sacrifice one of them, and between choosing Messi or Suarez to be benched, the latter is of course a no brainer. He can still play some games as a starter, but if all players are fit and ready, i would start Coutinho-Messi-Dembele attack everytime. Suarez can always come off the bench, even to rest Messi in the middle more often if we have a big lead until then, as they are both 31 and won't be capable of playing every match for the whole 90 minutes sooner than later. While if we're trailing, he can sub for one of the midfielders as the 'real striker impact sub' with Coutinho moving back to LCM and thus the formation being more attacking.

Don't get me wrong I liked 1st half too, and may be this is our best option in attack but....

-We looked brilliant against Sevilles, and couple of weeks later didn't look that good with same line up against Real Madrid, so I won't be so quick calling this attack as our best option.

-In this line up, Messi looked a bit less involved even in final 3rd which is a bit a problem, this is why I think Messi always need a striker beside him, Messi strive scoring wise from bassing that he comes for from behin, a pass that isn't directed forward but more backward. He gets those most of the time from either Suarez or Alba. That is why for him in Argentina the likes of Aguero and Higuain makes him play better

-With this line up, we have only one goal scorer and that is Messi.
Dembele isn't known for his goal scoring ability, he will get you some goals but he is more of a creator. Same for Coutinho who is having his best goal scoring season with just 18 goals.
During last decade we barely had limited number of scorers, we had Eto and Henry, Then Ibra, Then Villa and Pedro. We have done our worst with Sanches and later Pedro but back then we had Messi who can score 40+ goals in Liga alone, Messi is still best scorer in Europe but he isn't in his prime scoring wise and added play making to help it. Then we had MSN.

I am not sure where Griezmann fits and I was-and still- one of the biggest doubter of the deal, mainly because I feel we need more younger player who can be more of long term option for post-Messi era, and because he isn't either a winger nor a 9 but more of a 2nd striker. That said he will add the needed goal scoring option we need in the squad if we have to replace Suarez. He does his defensive duties too.

He will be either used in 433 with midfield trio of Busi-Raki-Cou with attack of Dembele-Messi-Griezmann (RW but more of inside forward)
Or 442 with Cou taking left side and Dembele right side and Messi-Griezmann attack.

Again, I am not sure which is better option, but I think that the plan is to replace Suarez

 

[FCBfan22]

If we do spend big on a midfielder, are there any indications as to who it would be?

No. Not yet.

I have 2 candidates:

Option A:
If we ditch Griezmann completely, we should just go all in on Eriksen. He is a perfect fit for us IMO. (Not very realistic)

Option B:
Houssem Aouar. CM/AM of Lyon. 19 years old, contract until 2020. Huge talent. We should be able to get him for cca 40-45 million euros, considering that L'pool will buy Fekir for 70 (who is their star player). We should be able to afford that, even with massive fee for Griezmann on our bill.

 

[henias]

Don't get me wrong I liked 1st half too, and may be this is our best option in attack but....

-We looked brilliant against Sevilles, and couple of weeks later didn't look that good with same line up against Real Madrid, so I won't be so quick calling this attack as our best option.

-In this line up, Messi looked a bit less involved even in final 3rd which is a bit a problem, this is why I think Messi always need a striker beside him, Messi strive scoring wise from bassing that he comes for from behin, a pass that isn't directed forward but more backward. He gets those most of the time from either Suarez or Alba. That is why for him in Argentina the likes of Aguero and Higuain makes him play better

-With this line up, we have only one goal scorer and that is Messi.
Dembele isn't known for his goal scoring ability, he will get you some goals but he is more of a creator. Same for Coutinho who is having his best goal scoring season with just 18 goals.
During last decade we barely had limited number of scorers, we had Eto and Henry, Then Ibra, Then Villa and Pedro. We have done our worst with Sanches and later Pedro but back then we had Messi who can score 40+ goals in Liga alone, Messi is still best scorer in Europe but he isn't in his prime scoring wise and added play making to help it. Then we had MSN.

I am not sure where Griezmann fits and I was-and still- one of the biggest doubter of the deal, mainly because I feel we need more younger player who can be more of long term option for post-Messi era, and because he isn't either a winger nor a 9 but more of a 2nd striker. That said he will add the needed goal scoring option we need in the squad if we have to replace Suarez. He does his defensive duties too.

He will be either used in 433 with midfield trio of Busi-Raki-Cou with attack of Dembele-Messi-Griezmann (RW but more of inside forward)
Or 442 with Cou taking left side and Dembele right side and Messi-Griezmann attack.

Again, I am not sure which is better option, but I think that the plan is to replace Suarez

We didnt look one bit better with Suarez and Messi upfront either.

 

[stk93]

stegen
semedo - pique - umtiti - alba
thiago - busuqets - coutinho
dembele - messi - martial

i would like to see this barca back to 433. 2 realistic transfers, martial and thiago and some prospects like arthur, de ligt...

 

[Porque]

No. Not yet.

I have 2 candidates:

Option A:
If we ditch Griezmann completely, we should just go all in on Eriksen. He is a perfect fit for us IMO. (Not very realistic)

Option B:
Houssem Aouar. CM/AM of Lyon. 19 years old, contract until 2020. Huge talent. We should be able to get him for cca 40-45 million euros, considering that L'pool will buy Fekir for 70 (who is their star player). We should be able to afford that, even with massive fee for Griezmann on our bill.

Aouar has 2 seasons left at Lyon and is only 19. Call me Ernesto but he will develop so much more at Lyon playing full time those seasons than bringing him here now. If we could sign him for 2 years time and let him stay at Lyon than that would be best for business.

As for our midfield. This is all our options right now.

Alena - 20
Arthur - 21
Coutinho - 25
Busquets - 29
Paulinho - 29
Rakitic - 30

And heres who is going out, didnt perform or left La Masia
Denis - 24
Andre Gomes - 24
Rafinha - 25
Thiago - 27

As you can see, the biggest problem of our midfield (not going deeper into positions) that we have is a generational gap. We didnt get a smooth transition from Iniesta and Xavi, and have no profiles at 24-27 age gap other than Coutinho. If he doesnt adapt to midfield then thats another problem.

Basically we screwed up with that stupid clause in Thiago contract.

 

[Jombi]

Aouar has 2 seasons left at Lyon and is only 19. Call me Ernesto but he will develop so much more at Lyon playing full time those seasons than bringing him here now. If we could sign him for 2 years time and let him stay at Lyon than that would be best for business.

As for our midfield. This is all our options right now.

Alena - 20
Arthur - 21
Coutinho - 25
Busquets - 29
Paulinho - 29
Rakitic - 30

And heres who is going out, didnt perform or left La Masia
Denis - 24
Andre Gomes - 24
Rafinha - 25
Thiago - 27

As you can see, the biggest problem of our midfield (not going deeper into positions) that we have is a generational gap. We didnt get a smooth transition from Iniesta and Xavi, and have no profiles at 24-27 age gap other than Coutinho. If he doesnt adapt to midfield then thats another problem.

Basically we screwed up with that stupid clause in Thiago contract.

Coutinho can play in a 4 man midfield IMO. Players like Aouar can play in a 3 man or 4 man midfield as he has more of a controlling aspect to his game. He even plays deep in midfield sometimes and has performed very well against PSG and in Europe. His style is more resembling Iniesta than Cesc. I think he's worth a try even though he's only turning 20 in a month as long as the price isnt extortionate. I'd rather see us buy several midfielders than pack our squad with attackers which would force Valverde to play a 3 man midfield and Coutinho always playing there. We would be unbalanced IMO.

 

[Messi983]

Don't know where all this Eriksen obsession came from. We bought Coutinho to be Iniesta's replacement and he'll get a chance to step into Iniesta's shoes. He'll need to adapt but I think he can do the job.

It's possible we'll go after another midfielder alongside Arthur if we'll get enough money selling players (which is very questionable) but I'm 99% we won't buy Eriksen and also pretty sure we won't get that type of player people wants so it's possible many around here (well, probably all except me and BBZ ) will be disappointed when we'll bring another workhorse midfielder.

People are talking about Aouar but I think it's the best for him to stay at Lyon for another season or two and with us apparently targeting De Jong next summer I don't think we'll get both when we're already signigng Arthur and promoting Alena. There just wouldn't be enough minutes for all of them. But Aouar's contract expires in 2020 so IF he won't renew we could maybe get him a bit cheaper next summer if he'll continue to develop well. It's true there will be other big clubs after him as well though so his price might not drop as much.

Talking about Lyon players I think we should also follow Ndombele closely though with Fekir on his way out I doubt they'll sell another key player this summer.

 

[Judoman]

It's possible we'll go after another midfielder alongside Arthur if we'll get enough money selling players (which is very questionable) but I'm 99% we won't buy Eriksen and also pretty sure we won't get that type of player people wants so it's possible many around here (well, probably all except me and BBZ ) will be disappointed when we'll bring another workhorse midfielder.

.

Not at all, but it also depends on which workhorse MF we get. I d like to see more speed in out midfield.


If Griezmann is 99 % done, than Eriksen is a total overkill. If he is not, than there are more options, including Coutinho playing the LW with Eriksen coming to play MF.

 

[Jombi]

Don't know where all this Eriksen obsession came from. We bought Coutinho to be Iniesta's replacement and he'll get a chance to step into Iniesta's shoes. He'll need to adapt but I think he can do the job.

It's possible we'll go after another midfielder alongside Arthur if we'll get enough money selling players (which is very questionable) but I'm 99% we won't buy Eriksen and also pretty sure we won't get that type of player people wants so it's possible many around here (well, probably all except me and BBZ ) will be disappointed when we'll bring another workhorse midfielder.

People are talking about Aouar but I think it's the best for him to stay at Lyon for another season or two and with us apparently targeting De Jong next summer I don't think we'll get both when we're already signigng Arthur and promoting Alena. There just wouldn't be enough minutes for all of them. But Aouar's contract expires in 2020 so IF he won't renew we could maybe get him a bit cheaper next summer if he'll continue to develop well. It's true there will be other big clubs after him as well though so his price might not drop as much.

Talking about Lyon players I think we should also follow Ndombele closely though with Fekir on his way out I doubt they'll sell another key player this summer.

If we play 4 midfielders, including Coutinho, then there will be a lot of room for midfielders. I just dont like trying to fit Coutinho into a 3 man midfield, playing far from the goal and trying to squeeze Griezmann, Messi, Dembele and Suarez into a formation up front. I think it will be more like trying to fit Cesc into our 3 man midfield. We'd be weakened both attacking wise and defensively IMO and will lose the midfield battle many times. Another player who isnt talked about much would be Fabinho, who is still a Monaco player. He would add some more strength to our midfield.

 

[TitoTata]

Some Chelsea guy was suggesting that Hazard could easily end up at Barca on the summer ... he actually irritates me with his incessant falling to the ground after minimal contact BUT he would be amazing in a team alongside Messi / Coutinho/ Dembele... and not get Griezmann

 

[FCBfan22]

Some Chelsea guy was suggesting that Hazard could easily end up at Barca on the summer ... he actually irritates me with his incessant falling to the ground after minimal contact BUT he would be amazing in a team alongside Messi / Coutinho/ Dembele... and not get Griezmann

Why the fuck would we need Hazard? We have basically the same player, but better and more consistant in Coutinho.

 

[Joan]

Talking about Lyon players I think we should also follow Ndombele closely though with Fekir on his way out I doubt they'll sell another key player this summer.

Word.

I think Paulinho will be much better next season and more important too since he'll be fresh.

 

[El Guaje]

Aouar has 2 seasons left at Lyon and is only 19. Call me Ernesto but he will develop so much more at Lyon playing full time those seasons than bringing him here now. If we could sign him for 2 years time and let him stay at Lyon than that would be best for business.

As for our midfield. This is all our options right now.

Alena - 20
Arthur - 21
Coutinho - 25
Busquets - 29
Paulinho - 29
Rakitic - 30

And heres who is going out, didnt perform or left La Masia
Denis - 24
Andre Gomes - 24
Rafinha - 25
Thiago - 27

As you can see, the biggest problem of our midfield (not going deeper into positions) that we have is a generational gap. We didnt get a smooth transition from Iniesta and Xavi, and have no profiles at 24-27 age gap other than Coutinho. If he doesnt adapt to midfield then thats another problem.

Basically we screwed up with that stupid clause in Thiago contract.

No, what screwed us up with Thiago was Tito being dumb af keep playing strongest XI when there was not need to at all, which led to Thiago not getting enough minutes which made him unhappy and also kept his release clause low. Had Tito played Thiago just a little more, his clause wouldh have gone up and he might have been here today.

 

[Galning]

No, what screwed us up with Thiago was Tito being dumb af keep playing strongest XI when there was not need to at all, which led to Thiago not getting enough minutes which made him unhappy and also kept his release clause low. Had Tito played Thiago just a little more, his clause wouldh have gone up and he might have been here today.

Not only Tito but also the board. They said 20M for a benchplayer was a great deal little did they know 20M gets you half an Andre Gomes or half an Arda Turan.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

Some Chelsea guy was suggesting that Hazard could easily end up at Barca on the summer ... he actually irritates me with his incessant falling to the ground after minimal contact BUT he would be amazing in a team alongside Messi / Coutinho/ Dembele... and not get Griezmann

We don't need him. We have Messi.