Hatem Ben Arfa

[BusiTheKing]

If we get him cheap, then it's a great deal no matter what. He's leagues above Rafinha and Arda. Did anyone watch him against PSG last month? The only thing that annoys me a little is that I would like to see Denis get a real shot on the wings. The kind of shot that Munir/Sandro got.

 

[te amo barca]

Interesting transfer... Could be a steal or a big flop, God knows what's inside of Hatem's head right now. I hope he is a professional now.

 

[gasgas]

We can switch formations for some games so that we allow msn, ben arfa, and denis to thrive.
We dont always have to play 4_3_3 with msn up top.
Damn so rigid

 

[Devils]

Yeah we're not going to sign a world class back-up player. Remember, we did fine last season with Pedro as our back-up attacker so we should aim for someone around that caliber.

I'm sure this guy can meet the necessary requirements, but it's his attitude that's the worry. You're talking about a guy who walked out on his team and disappeared half-way through the season without giving a care in the world.

There is definitely risk in this signing, the payoff could be good too.

 

[Messi983]

A question for those of you who know him better: could he also play in Suarez's position or just on both wings?

Right now I'm indifferent about him. If he ends up in Barça I'd give him a chance, if not, I won't cry about not signing him either. I know he always had talent but didn't really make much (at least not as much as he could) out of his career until this season. It could be worth a risk, but I wouldn't give him more than 2 or 3 year contract with a possible clause to extend it for another year. IF he works out fine, if not, maybe we can still sell him to China and make some profit. But the club needs to evaluate his personality and fit into the team before we sign him. We don't need someone who would break team chemistry. They also need to tell him what his role would be. He's probably smart enough to know he wouldn't be a starter ahead of MSN but is his big ego (which clearly influenced his career until now) really willing to accept that role? Has he matured enough to be a good squad player in a great team or does he needs to be in a (smaller) club where everything (on the field and possibly also off the field) is turning around him? I don't know him good enough to answer those questions and Ben Arfa is probably the only person who can answer them honestly. For others, only time will tell.

 

[Jombi]

A question for those of you who know him better: could he also play in Suarez's position or just on both wings?

Right now I'm indifferent about him. If he ends up in Barça I'd give him a chance, if not, I won't cry about not signing him either. I know he always had talent but didn't really make much (at least not as much as he could) out of his career until this season. It could be worth a risk, but I wouldn't give him more than 2 or 3 year contract with a possible clause to extend it for another year. IF he works out fine, if not, maybe we can still sell him to China and make some profit. But the club needs to evaluate his personality and fit into the team before we sign him. We don't need someone who would break team chemistry. They also need to tell him what his role would be. He's probably smart enough to know he wouldn't be a starter ahead of MSN but is his big ego (which clearly influenced his career until now) really willing to accept that role? Has he matured enough to be a good squad player in a great team or does he needs to be in a (smaller) club where everything (on the field and possibly also off the field) is turning around him? I don't know him good enough to answer those questions and Ben Arfa is probably the only person who can answer them honestly. For others, only time will tell.

Yes, he has only thrived in a team where the style and play all revolve around him in his free role behind the strikers where he doesnt need to track back like the rest of the team. I'll take him on a CHEAP 2 year contract though, but anything else is definitely FAR from risk free.

 

[JamDav1982]

Jombi - if he arrives at Barca do you see him being a success as a back up or a flop?

About Newcastle fans they idolised him for a while and he was one of their most talented players ever until Pardew started to drop him and ask him to play in a way that doesnt suit him.

 

[Jefecito]

Yes, he has only thrived in a team where the style and play all revolve around him in his free role behind the strikers where he doesnt need to track back like the rest of the team. I'll take him on a CHEAP 2 year contract though, but anything else is definitely FAR from risk free.

I can see him getting like 3 mill per year and a 3 year contract. I think that would be an OK deal for us, considering that if he performs just half as well as he did this season we will easily be able to make some good profit on him.
I've been following Nice's season and Ben Arfa matured a lot, my only interrogation is about his positioning on the pitch. He can definitely play as a RW for us, but he played the whole season a playmaker, right behind Germain (their striker). I think he could also do ok as a LW, even though it's definitely not the position where we would get the most of his qualities (as he's left footed).

 

[Jombi]

Jombi - if he arrives at Barca do you see him being a success as a back up or a flop?

About Newcastle fans they idolised him for a while and he was one of their most talented players ever until Pardew started to drop him and ask him to play in a way that doesnt suit him.

It all depends on the signing on fee and the length and size of his contract to me. The upside potential is large for sure, so that's why I support the idea of signing him if the money involved is reasonable. I love the idea of looking at bosmans and players with a year left so thats positive. Considering his age, his sell-on value is likely close to zero, but the risk is reasonable if the contract given is reasonable.

 

[frog-fcb]

A question for those of you who know him better: could he also play in Suarez's position or just on both wings?
.

We could always put the messi or ney even munir in the middle if we were lookin to rest suarez. To all the ones saying he can just play in the hole and not the wings alot of the time our wide players are cutting in to that space with the full backs proving the width so he could do well in that role. He could be a great signing for us on a free his wages shouldn be astronomical and if it doesnt work out we can sell him on for a few million profit

 

[Jombi]

We could always put the messi or ney even munir in the middle if we were lookin to rest suarez. To all the ones saying he can just play in the hole and not the wings alot of the time our wide players are cutting in to that space with the full backs proving the width so he could do well in that role. He could be a great signing for us on a free his wages shouldn be astronomical and if it doesnt work out we can sell him on for a few million profit

If he fails, we are almost certain to loan him out until the remainder of his contract is up. He would be 30 and I cant even remember us having sold any player at 30 or above for any money. Especially not someone with massive adaptability problems like Ben Arfa. I dont think we should count on any profit.

I think the main issue is that it is such a completely different role to play on the wing for us as compared to playing in a free role for Nice. He would have to work his a** off as a winger for us and he would be severely restricted compared to his "luxury" position in Nice where he thrives. But his talent is unquestionable, so if we sign him up on a reasonable contract, the risk is low.

 

[Adversus]

Interesting transfer... Could be a steal or a big flop, God knows what's inside of Hatem's head right now. I hope he is a professional now.

Probably a steal because he strikes me as one of those players that plays when he wants. Playing for Barca would provide all the incentive he needs.

 

[Trickykid]

I know no-one doubts his dribbling... But man, this is just ridiculous

[youtube]oAVBO9wJn4A[/youtube]

 

[Messi+Eto]

Don't care what anyone says. .. This guy should be way bigger if he had a bit of luck and discipline.
Top class player.

 

[Jombi]

Don't care what anyone says. .. This guy should be way bigger if he had a bit of luck and discipline.
Top class player.

Like Quaresma!