Ibrahim Afellay

[Silver]

He made Marcelo look slow and stupid. Kind of reminds me Robben with his use of pace as his main weapon. With all due respect to Pedro and Messi, Affelay just showed he might be te fastest man we have on the squad.

Messi is faster then afellay.
Marcelo slipped away and couldn't start properly. But still the cross was amazing.

 

[FiReFTW]

Messi is faster then afellay.

indeed

http://www.ask4sports.com/2010/12/worlds-fastest-soccer-players.html

 

[kaisers0ze]

Dont think they put Ibi in that comparison. Only big names there.|

Also, what is ment with speed? Top-speed? Reaction time (no one better then Messi)... or maybe acceleration? Other factors?

 

[alex 10]

i think ibi is better coming on with 30 to go and uses his pace when the other team is more tired

 

[xsever]

i think ibi is better coming on with 30 to go and uses his pace when the other team is more tired

Good point!

 

[Cal-FCB]

Brilliant assist from Ibi. Plenty of us were unsure about him given how he played at the weekend, but that was an impact last night. He was really bright, washed away any doubts I had when he was introduced.

 

[desoe]

i think ibi is better coming on with 30 to go and uses his pace when the other team is more tired

I think the sub role will be major for him next season, too. Right now Pedro is having some difficulties and doesn't look as much convincing as we're used to see him, but make no mistake - next season he'll start to produce again and I don't think Afellay would be able to touch him in the starting eleven.

Of course, Pep won't stop making some rotations, so Ibi would get some starts, but in general I think the trident will remain the same as it is now.

 

[El Guaje]

I think the sub role will be major for him next season, too. Right now Pedro is having some difficulties and doesn't look as much convincing as we're used to see him, but make no mistake - next season he'll start to produce again and I don't think Afellay would be able to touch him in the starting eleven.

Of course, Pep won't stop making some rotations, so Ibi would get some starts, but in general I think the trident will remain the same as it is now.

That is what we thought of Henry after the CL 2009. He just didnt perform any longer and little Pedro took over. What if the same thing happens now? Afellay comes in, makes some nice matches while Pedro is out of form and soon enough replaces him in the 1st eleven. Its not impossible, but it wont be easy too. Both are very good players with some small different qualitites.

 

[desoe]

The major difference here is that Henry was finished even before he joined Barca. He made a great 08/09 season, but he clearly performed beyond his physical limits. And it was not a surprise that he got himself a rest in 09/10.

And as about Pedro - he's yet to enter in his peak years, so we should expect only better things from him. Afellay is skillful, but in-form Pedro is just too much producing to be benched. He's very, very efficient.

 

[10Messi10]

The major difference here is that Henry was finished even before he joined Barca. He made a great 08/09 season, but he clearly performed beyond his physical limits. And it was not a surprise that he got himself a rest in 09/10.

And as about Pedro - he's yet to enter in his peak years, so we should expect only better things from him. Afellay is skillful, but in-form Pedro is just too much producing to be benched. He's very, very efficient.

that's absolutely right

 

[El Guaje]

The major difference here is that Henry was finished even before he joined Barca. He made a great 08/09 season, but he clearly performed beyond his physical limits. And it was not a surprise that he got himself a rest in 09/10.

And as about Pedro - he's yet to enter in his peak years, so we should expect only better things from him. Afellay is skillful, but in-form Pedro is just too much producing to be benched. He's very, very efficient.

I dont really agree on that he already was finished. He, just like many others had to adapt to a new position when he arrived to Barcelona. He isnt a left winger but had to adapt, that is why his 1st season wasnt as good. Then, at season 08/09 he was just awesome. Was MoM in every el clasico he played (imo atleast), was great when other players were injured and when he got the CF position he responded with scoring 3 goals and in the end he scored around 27 goals. Very good if you ask me since he was at the LW.

Pedro is good, but so is Afellay. There's gonna be some competition there between them And I agree that Pedro has yet to enter his peak years, but so is Afellay, they are both at around the same age.

 

[Catalonian Devil]

All for 3M...

Real take note

 

[kaisers0ze]

Review Afellay vs Madrid:

What s the story behind that argument between Ibi and that old guy at the ending? Anybody knows?

 

[fcbarcatenerife]

No way is Afellay going to take Pedro's spot in the starting XI. The big difference is work rate and positional sense. Nobody on the team comes close to Pedro's work rate, although he's been playing injured since the Arsenal tie and it's slowed him down. Positioning is a big weakness for Ibi. I expect him to get better once he learns some Spanish and after a full preseason with Pep, but it would be surprising if anytime soon he catches up to Pedro who has the huge advantage of playing in la cantera. To me the competition should be between Ibi and Jeffren for the impact sub spot, but it seems like Jeffren is not really getting a shot as he was the most productive attacker on the pitch against Osasuna in the first half but he was subbed off anyway at half time. It will be interesting to see what he can do with playing time in La Liga to close out this season.

 

[10Messi10]

watch last november clasico n u will see pedro is godlike..n he sneak behind madrid defenders b4 score the goal..genius