Barca Transfers and Rumors

[Luftstalag14]

I understand that, but no team have a goalkeeper that can step in the way you're saying a backup should.

If your standards for a backup are so high then you're not going to get any GK.

I don't know anything about Casteels, but I can assure very few GKs that are good and can play regularly for a very decent team would come to be a backup at Barça.

There's a reason RM have Kiko Casilla, Chelsea have Caballero and Man Utd have Romero.

Those GKs would only start for mid table teams at best.

At least Caballero and Romero are NT players, Casteels is not, one might say.

I understand what you are saying Don, no real good keepers would want to be a backup keeper and it will cause frictions and unwanted problems but I am saying we should at least go for someone that is good enough, not just any keeper out there. I don't know what Casteels did that triggered the alleged interest, Zieler (whom [MENTION=19222]xXKonan[/MENTION] mentioned) would be better as he has improved from his Hannover days and he has done quite well last season at Sttugart. But if we are looking at the likes of Casteels and Zieler, why not Yann Sommer from Gladbach? I have been a fan of his.

And how about promoting from within, if the quality of the backup keeper is not really an issue?

 

[xXKonan]

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TV3 saying we want to advance the arrival of both De Jong and Arthur this summer.

 

[Joan]

Arrival? That's new.

 

[xXKonan]

The De Jong one is going to be tougher than the Arthur one.

I think Ajax would be open to selling him to us this summer under the condition he stays for at least one more season.

 

[MessiCam]

The De Jong one is going to be tougher than the Arthur one.

I think Ajax would be open to selling him to us this summer under the condition he stays for at least one more season.

That would the right thing to do. We already have Aleñá, Arthur, Dembélé, Samper and Oriol needing game time. If you narrow that down to the first 3 you’re already pressed in terms of getting the most out of their development and integration. Then you have to contend with the fact that both Coutinho and Dembélé will miss the preseason due to World Cup duties and they too need more integration time.

Adding another young talent to the mix could hinder the development especially under a coach as conservative as Valverde.

 

[DonAK]

If that's the case then no Thiago/Eriksen/Pjanic then

De Jong should really stay another season at Ajax IMO. Best for his development.

 

[JamDav1982]

That would the right thing to do. We already have Aleñá, Arthur, Dembélé, Samper and Oriol needing game time. If you narrow that down to the first 3 you’re already pressed in terms of getting the most out of their development and integration. Then you have to contend with the fact that both Coutinho and Dembélé will miss the preseason due to World Cup duties and they too need more integration time.

Adding another young talent to the mix could hinder the development especially under a coach as conservative as Valverde.

Samper wont be in the first team squad next season and Oriol should really go out on loan than step back a league at B team level.

Dembele is not going to be in competition for places with those lot either.

 

[SeloBarca]

Are there any "older" controlling midfielder we could bring in until those two would arrive and hopefully succed?
Of the bigger names ive heard i would prefer Pjanic but any high profile like that would demand starting every game.

 

[MessiCam]

Samper wont be in the first team squad next season and Oriol should really go out on loan than step back a league at B team level.

Dembele is not going to be in competition for places with those lot either.

Valverde has already said that, depending on his recovery, Oriol will be called up to the first team.

Where did I say that Dembélé will be competing for a place with any of those? Dembélé and Coutinho’s problem is that of integration and the World Cup doesn’t help... Also Dembélé has to contend with a manager that prioritises defensive shape so he is not guaranteed game time at all.

 

[jairzinho]

Tite actually has Coutinho playing in that controller role for Brazil, even though his natural inclination is to play as a more of an attacking midfielder.

 

[Joan]

Valverde has already said that, depending on his recovery, Oriol will be called up to the first team.

Where did I say that Dembélé will be competing for a place with any of those? Dembélé and Coutinho’s problem is that of integration and the World Cup doesn’t help... Also Dembélé has to contend with a manager that prioritises defensive shape so he is not guaranteed game time at all.

Of course he's guaranteed game time whenever fit.

Just like this season. I expect him to be a starter next year.

 

[MessiCam]

Of course he's guaranteed game time whenever fit.

Just like this season. I expect him to be a starter next year.

Maybe game time was the wrong choice of words. I should have said starter... Valverde went as far as using Coutinho on the right in big games and at times not even using Dembélé as sub.

 

[JamDav1982]

Valverde has already said that, depending on his recovery, Oriol will be called up to the first team.

Where did I say that Dembélé will be competing for a place with any of those? Dembélé and Coutinho’s problem is that of integration and the World Cup doesn’t help... Also Dembélé has to contend with a manager that prioritises defensive shape so he is not guaranteed game time at all.

So why mention Dembele as already needing game time if that is of no relevance?

EV has never said that Oriol will be called up to first team for next season in same way Alena will be.

Very unlikely Oriol Busquets is with first team next season in my opinion.

 

[MessiCam]

So why mention Dembele as already needing game time if that is of no relevance?

EV has never said that Oriol will be called up to first team for next season in same way Alena will be.

Very unlikely Oriol Busquets is with first team next season in my opinion.

Because he needs a lot more integration as you yourself have previously said. And it’s not just about Dembélé integrating but also the team learning his habits because he at times produces some stuff but there is nobody around.

Regarding Oriol

 

[Joan]

Maybe game time was the wrong choice of words. I should have said starter... Valverde went as far as using Coutinho on the right in big games and at times not even using Dembélé as sub.

Big games vs. Atletico and Real, he didn't play them. But also started vs. Juve and Chelsea.

It's not like he's ignored. We have to see how Valverde manages him next season. Too early for conclusions.