JamDav1982
Senior Member
We have plenty of 30m+ signings who aren't good enough coming in and don't impress with their previous clubs to warrant signing who get all the chances in the world even despite that.
There's not much of an argument to be made for whether he was worthy of a chance last season. Going forward Roberto was so poor Messi abandoned the right wing entirely, and in instances where Mascherano was forced to play there I'm pretty sure he had a shocker every time.
Whether he's good enough going forward really boils down to speed and not much else. Alba and Bellerin aren't "good" going forward, they're just fast. Hopefully Valverde sees more qualities in a player than their top sprint speed. I'd rather have a solid defender who can chip in on offensive side than another pace merchant who's brain often turns to mush in the few cases when they're not horribly out of position.
Other players that are not good enough dont prove anything but they have shown more than Palencia has to get chances in first place.
The fact Roberto was not great going forward but is still much better on the ball and going forward than Palencia says it all as to why he probably was not given chances.
Barca full backs will never just be solid defenders. Have to be basically a midfielder/winger or at cover at CB a bit as someone like Abidal did. Palencia for me doesnt have any of that. He is too small to get away with just being there to be a solid defender.
Likes of Alba and Bellerin would destroy that diluted third level as full backs. Both have played well as attacking full backs in two of the best leagues in the world. As frustrating as both can be they are in a different league to Palencia going forward for me.