Erling Haaland

[serghei]

Both Bayern and Liverpool have standout star players.

Even Chelsea and Tuchel intended to get in a star player Lukaku who flopped badly in hindsight.

Two seasons back, City often used to look toothless without KDB.

And we can have standout star players like them too. Developed under a fruitful working setup, not bought. Sign Raphina, put in him a top-performing team, and watch him become the new Sadio Mane. Maybe even better.

You are a Liverpool fan aren't you? If we compare our rebuild with Liverpool's under Klopp (same situation as Xavi, signed in the middle of the season for a new project), they finished 8th in EPL (or something like that), and lost EL final vs Sevilla.

That's what I'm saying. We are securing an environment that, if cared for, will produce and develop players at a fast rate. Right president, right manager, young supertalents, proper tactics, ambition, intensity, tactics, meritocracy, veterans on board rather than slacking off, you name it. We are going up and can grow as a team.

I personally never imagined this season that we'll beat Madrid 4-0. Crazy...

 

[DonAK]

I doubt Haaland will be the only World Class #9 in the world that isn't 30+ by 2024. Someone else will surely pop up or develop into one. All it means is that it could take a bit longer for us to get there, but as long as we're patient and building it's fine.

 

[Temptation]

Barcelona bought stars without thinking how they'll fit in tactically like Griezmann, Coutinho.

PSG buy players only based on name. They have washed up superstars like Ramos, Messi, Neymar. That never helps.

United have done similar. They got Ronaldo, Varane who are both past it.

These model fail because of their flawed team planning. Not just because the players they bought are superstars. You can always get in the right superstars for your team and prosper.


It has worked wonders for Madrid in the past.

Chelsea famously spent a shotload last to last summer. Once they got the right manager in, they won the CL.

 

[Joan]

He's insanely talented and it's not only obvious in Bundes but also in Europe (keep in mind what kind of a team he plays for). Whether he is a generational talent or has all time great potential is a matter for another (irrelevant if I may say) discussion. And frankly, quite American. Who gives a fuck about that? He would be a massive improvement for any team atm and would be stupid to miss that train. Of course, for a club like Barca some things won't be financially feasible.

Injuries are also a legit concern. In fact, the biggest one.

We're not getting him either way so let's move on. But makes no sense to lie to ourselves saying he's not good enough and some kind of a big risk small reward transfer for various reasons when he's the exact opposite.

 

[Temptation]

I doubt Haaland will be the only World Class #9 in the world that isn't 30+ by 2024. Someone else will surely pop up or develop into one. All it means is that it could take a bit longer for us to get there, but as long as we're patient and building it's fine.

Vlahovic for starters......

Already nearly world class.

 

[Messigician]

300m isn't low risk lmfao

 

[DonAK]

Vlahovic for starters......

Already nearly world class.

Yup, and there will be others.

Darwin Nunez and Jonathan David for example. One of them could easily make that jump in 2023.

Or maybe it will be someone else. We'll see...

 

[serghei]

I doubt Haaland will be the only World Class #9 in the world that isn't 30+ by 2024. Someone else will surely pop up or develop into one. All it means is that it could take a bit longer for us to get there, but as long as we're patient and building it's fine.

I want us to have a go with something like Ferran - Ansu - Raphinha. It's not a conservative trio, and some types of crosses won't work, but you can play around with that.

I have doubts about how much pressing can you do with someone that is a big no9. You are going to see a decrease in that over 90 mins imo.

 

[DonAK]

I want us to have a go with something like Ferran - Ansu - Raphinha.

Auba has to start next season. Ansu or Ferran cannot replicate what he does.

 

[serghei]

Vlahovic for starters......

Already nearly world class.

I thought so too at first, watching just bits and pieces. But watching full match of Juventus - Villareal, he's not doing much press. Rests a lot off the ball. More suited to Italian football than what we're trying to build.

Look at Chelsea with Werner vs Lukaku. For all his goofs in finishing, Chelsea played better football with Werner's work rate and mobility than with Lukaku's pure 9 abilities. Why? Because Werner runs more, tracks back more, covers more passing lanes, and basically sacrifices himself and lends himself fully to what is asked of him in all aspects of play. Let me put it this way. If Werner has goalscoring instincts, he's top 3 in his position worldwide easily.

While Lukaku thinks of himself as a star-like player.

 

[Temptation]

And we can have standout star players like them too. Developed under a fruitful working setup, not bought. Sign Raphina, put in him a top-performing team, and watch him become the new Sadio Mane. Maybe even better.

You are a Liverpool fan aren't you? If we compare our rebuild with Liverpool's under Klopp (same situation as Xavi, signed in the middle of the season for a new project), they finished 8th in EPL (or something like that), and lost EL final vs Sevilla.

That's what I'm saying. We are securing an environment that, if cared for, will produce and develop players at a fast rate. Right president, right manager, young supertalents, proper tactics, ambition, intensity, tactics, meritocracy, veterans on board rather than slacking off, you name it. We are going up and can grow as a team.

I personally never imagined this season that we'll beat Madrid 4-0. Crazy...

That model only works for supercoaches like Pep and Klopp where they're the star of the show.

Xavi is still a long way away from that level. The jury is still very much out for that level.

Even Liverpool are extremely dependent on pur 75 mil signing VVD and our 70 mil signing Allison. Without VVD, we genuinely becone a top 4 PL team.

But I see your point about Haaland and what you mean.

 

[Joan]

I doubt Haaland will be the only World Class #9 in the world that isn't 30+ by 2024. Someone else will surely pop up or develop into one. All it means is that it could take a bit longer for us to get there, but as long as we're patient and building it's fine.

Haaland will likely be the standout 9 of his generation. In the generation before, we had more great strikers who were closer in level but not the best in the world. This generation could be different. But good and great 9s are bound to pop up. Vlaho if for starters, Nunez could grow into one etc.

Barca is lucky with Auba whose legs are still there and can hopefully play at this level for one more season. Our attack should be good for next season when we sort out our RW situation. Either we keep Dembele or signing another starter there. Raphinha or someone else.

 

[Temptation]

I want us to have a go with something like Ferran - Ansu - Raphinha. It's not a conservative trio, and some types of crosses won't work, but you can play around with that.

I have doubts about how much pressing can you do with someone that is a big no9. You are going to see a decrease in that over 90 mins imo.

From what I heard and multiple reports, Xavi actually wants a proper CF rather than winger cum strikers, false 9's and makeshift CFs.

 

[Joan]

300m package is too much of a risk for current Barca. Would be feasible for us If we were in better shape. Won't stop some other healthy club like City.

 

[Tackle]

Wind back some 2 years or so and see people choosing Dembele as this next sure best thing since sliced bread. The club is moving into a more Bayern/Liverpool like direction, and it is by far the most sustainable model.

Wake the fuck up and smell the coffee. The galactico model will belong to retarded oil clubs.

Not all big signings are created equal. Dismissing the recruitment of any possible superstar with blanket statements about Galaticos is not a serious argument. Haaland may fall into the camp of a generational striker that is worth the hefty fees he commands. There are legitimate concerns and reasons to be wary, but he is one of the few players that has a significant chance of going on to fulfill his potential and live up to his contract. You don't build a team with such signings, but adding one with the right profile to round out a starting XI and add X-factor is perfectly sane.

Haaland might not be the type of transfer we need right now with our financial troubles and all, but you speak of him like he is some Rashford or Dembele. Only question is his fitness, otherwise he will be scoring for fun in that City side next season.