I'd be amazed if City allowed him to come here in a swap deal, he's a top-class player.
I like Bernardo but where would he play? He is not a winger so he would basically compete with Pedri for that AM position. I am not sure if this is a good idea...
Bernardo would walk into almost every team.
If we are to play 4-3-3 he could be a great RCM with Messi as a false RW. With Messi cutting inside, Bernardo would have the freedom to become a RW. Almost forming a 4-2-4 or 4-4-2.
But no way he's coming. Pep loves him and I doubt he wants to move.
To be fair I think it would do Pedri's development some good if he did have reduced minutes plus learning off a player like Bernardo.
We could do with a player in his prime now in the midfield, but I cannot see City allowing him to leave.
Would be same issues as always when Messi plays RW. He has a free role and comes inside.
Right back then doesnt consistently have a RW to link up with and overlap, can be isolated and then can get doubled up on when defending.
Only way to counter it is again give up midfielder to help cover it on the right.
Barca spent years trying to solve it and giving up shape of team and last worked 6 seasons ago when Barca played on break with MSN and Rakitic to cover Alves/Messi.
Messi in middle somewhere not ideal but less impact on overall structure of team.
Ship has sailed for me (Andre Gomes made sure of that). I want us to sign players and backups for a clear 433 in mind. Something Bartomeu didn't do. Silva is great and all, but he doesn't strike me as very flexible (meaning he's less ideal as left mid?), which would mean Frenkie would have to switch sides depending on Pedri or Silva? Not that I think we can afford to get a high profile backup for Pedri (or the other way around) - we have more dire needs.
I just want clarity and pound for pound backups.