Daniel Alves

xXKonan

Senior Member
On current form, Dest is our best RB, even if Alves is still better with the ball.

Alves has been very useful though even if he's old now.
 

gregorrin10

Senior Member
We should really be looking to close the deal with Mazraoui as soon as possible before we lose him (there probably won't be another RB as good as him and also be in that perfect age range available on a free for quite some time after him) and get a healthy competition going with him and Dest for the starting spot instead of dealing with this now. Really hoping that's still the plan.

I have no problem in extending Alves's career for one more year on a symbolic wage and having him as a good example of professionalism and keeping that squad harmony high, maybe even have him take on a player/coach role, and be there for squad depth, as an extra option in terms of injuries. But only if we have real options to go with it, so we don't have to actually rely on a 39-year old, who we know that no matter how good he is in passing, he's still done for in the pace department and that means he can't be relied upon week in week out anymore.

Same goes for Pique next season, if he'll be staying for one final year. That's why we need another CB on top of Christensen, and someone at least as good as him, to really be a reliable 3rd CB and even be pushing to take that starting spot. (ideally be better and a bonafide starter, maybe someone like Koulibaly could actually be a good shout, if we can get him for 20-30M, any higher might as well just go and buy Lisandro from Ajax for that 40-50M price tag and have a long term partner for Araujo sorted). Garcia isn't ready to (and shouldn't) be more than the 4th CB sadly. While Pique and Alves should be no more than the 5th CB and 3rd RB option next season.
 

Porque

Senior Member
Xavi has more patience with his favourites in terms of subbing them off or bringing them on.

Case in point Alves, Busquets, Pedri, Ferran and Aubameyang compared to Dest, FdJ, Adama and Luuk.

I hope this isn't a long term flaw in how he trusts certain players to overcome poor-average performances compared to others who are having decent games but must maintain their pre-conceived sub time.

Small matter, and can't complain too much given our excellent run of form and Xavi bringing sexy back to our football.

But all the same, Alves was getting burned and could have been burned sooner for Dest.
 

Bobo32

Senior Member
It was funny how he made "shortcuts" to beeline towards the CB position, because he knew he was dusted on flank several times.

It is better when Araujo routinely beelines for the corner flag diagonally and gets beaten, leaving a freeway towards the goal :)
No it is correct geometrically to move parallell with the sideline when trailing, or anytime in a counter rather.
 

Bobo32

Senior Member
Xavi has more patience with his favourites in terms of subbing them off or bringing them on.

Case in point Alves, Busquets, Pedri, Ferran and Aubameyang compared to Dest, FdJ, Adama and Luuk.

I hope this isn't a long term flaw in how he trusts certain players to overcome poor-average performances compared to others who are having decent games but must maintain their pre-conceived sub time.

Small matter, and can't complain too much given our excellent run of form and Xavi bringing sexy back to our football.

But all the same, Alves was getting burned and could have been burned sooner for Dest.

He seems to be almost as loyal to some players as Koeman was tbh. I don't really like it, but prefer Peps way of using the entire squad while never tolerating poor-average performances.
I think yesterday was a BIG step backwards for Xavis Barcelona, I was so positive after the previous game though and thought we saw the beginning of a positive trend. Now, I must say Xavi has been a bit up and down overall, needs to be more consistent. And I think he needs to be more daring in order to be consistent.
 

Gnidrologist

Senior Member
It is better when Araujo routinely beelines for the corner flag diagonally and gets beaten, leaving a freeway towards the goal :)
No it is correct geometrically to move parallell with the sideline when trailing, or anytime in a counter rather.
The fact that he is constantly trailing to the man he is supposed to mark IS the problem. Funny you should bring Araujo in this equation, given he's our best marker, who very rarely lets his man go.
 

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