Ibrahim Afellay

[Daemul]

Ok Afellay report time.

Over the duration of the match Afellay played mostly in the deep lying midfielder and wide positions, coming foward when his team had the ball and dribbling his way aroung Ajax players and then making a pass to a team mate. When Ajax had the ball he tracked back and helped his defenders out by pressuring the oppostion and then getting the ball and passing the ball out. His passing was good, some of the runs he made were wonderful such that the Ajax players got pissed off and went in hard, Lindgren got sent off for a trip on him, so he ticks another item on the board, the ability to get opposition players sent off

But Ajax of course had their chances, it could have gone either way in my opinion. Afellay wasent at his best, but I see no problem with him getting into the first 11 and becoming a regular starter, he is that good. His lobbed passes are magnificent, his dribbling is Iniesta like, the way he passes the ball over the pitch, with those wonderful flicks, one of which was absoluetly glorious and took 2 players out of the game. He gets back to help the defense, meaning if he plays on the right Alves will actually get some help for once.

I was a bit disappointed, but to anyone who has any doubts about him now, prepare to be amazed when he gets going.

 

[La Furia]

How does PSV always manage to find awesome Brazilian strikers? Jonathan Reis might not be Ronaldo or Romario but he has insane potential if he doesn't squander his talent (sadly a big possibility). I wouldn't want him anywhere near Barca though, the kid is a headcase.

Good scouting report Jonathan, on a serious note Afellay has been one of my favourite prospects in the Dutch league. I don't really see what role he will play for Barca yet, but if we have to make a superfluous buy we could do a lot worse. This means no Suarez though.

 

[FCBarca]

Great writeup Jona, thanks

 

[Aryagorn]

disagree about Villa, sorta.

Messi and Villa share a central role. confining Lio to the right is criminally reducing his effect on a game.

The effect would probably on the number of goals he would score against oppositions who are willing to play an open game. But him cutting in from the right wing would be one of the best options to break buses IMO. We did get to see that once or twice this season already. The chaos that he raises when he plays on the right will destabilize even the most organized defenses

 

[Mocro]

How does PSV always manage to find awesome Brazilian strikers? Jonathan Reis might not be Ronaldo or Romario but he has insane potential if he doesn't squander his talent (sadly a big possibility). I wouldn't want him anywhere near Barca though, the kid is a headcase.

Good scouting report Jonathan, on a serious note Afellay has been one of my favourite prospects in the Dutch league. I don't really see what role he will play for Barca yet, but if we have to make a superfluous buy we could do a lot worse. This means no Suarez though.

I had the privilege to watch Ronaldo when he was coming up the ranks, but Id put Reis on the same level without a doubt. Yes, he had some problems, but he had the worst childhood you can imagine. Living in poverty, with a father who is a crackhead and who left them when he was young. Its not easy.

The effect would probably on the number of goals he would score against oppositions who are willing to play an open game. But him cutting in from the right wing would be one of the best options to break buses IMO. We did get to see that once or twice this season already. The chaos that he raises when he plays on the right will destabilize even the most organized defenses

If Barca puts Afelly on the wing, then he can focus on attacking. Atm with PSV he isnt playing close enough to the opponentsbox. He is more busy with looking after the organisation.

 

[Paganitzu]

I had the privilege to watch Ronaldo when he was coming up the ranks, but Id put Reis on the same level without a doubt. Yes, he had some problems, but he had the worst childhood you can imagine. Living in poverty, with a father who is a crackhead and who left them when he was young. Its not easy.

After he got fired because of a drugs-addiction by PSV he went to Brazil and sat together with a friend in a park. His friend got shot 5 times while he was sitting next to him. He still needs to learn a lot, but he has an incredible potential. He played weak vs Ajax but earned my respect by staying calm after Suarez made "nose sign" what refered to his coke-addiction. But Suarez is a total idiot, him biting Bakkal in his neck in this match,

Afellay acted like a little kid as well, but played OK. He only has to improve his shot on goal.

 

[Daemul]

Well, it was a derby, you normally see the worst of people during derbies, and Suarez disgusted me.

 

[gingerless]

suarez is one of those idiots that think little of consequences or of other people, good player but the usual case of a dickhead

 

[zanela]

But him cutting in from the right wing would be one of the best options to break buses IMO. We did get to see that once or twice this season already. The chaos that he raises when he plays on the right will destabilize even the most organized defenses

Played on right for large parts against Chelsea 2 years ago with lil' success. Total football is the answer to Catennacio. But the modern 451 and zonal marking has effectively countered the former. While the technically lesser sides have posed lil' threat, the more sound defenses have enjoyed varying degree of success applying the same. I've seen Messi crowded out in the centre and rendered ineffective as an inside forward in such tactical battles. But none of our forwards are confined to one position. So its irrelavant where he starts. I reckon maintaining fluidity and speeding up the play would unlock the more organised defensive units.

 

[Daemul]

After watching many games where teams defended deep and never gave up space, I have realised that there's one thing that neve fails to open them up, speed. Having speedy players i.e. Robben or Ronaldo and having them run at players pulls team apart since they all rush to try and block him off, which ends up opening space for other players to exploit. Which is why when sometimes I see us just passing the ball in front of the teams defenders I get pissed off and shout that give it to Alves, Pedro or Messi and let them run at the players and watch them crumble.

 

[La Furia]

Part of what makes Suarez awesome is his ability to get under your skin. He's classless but he's all the more dangerous because of that.

 

[dalitis8]

He seems very pacy and had a decent shot. But then again these are only youtube videos, and we all know that even Ibra looked great in those damn things.

I hope he succeeds for us. And we paid a reasonable amount for him it appears.

 

[Mocro]

Part of what makes Suarez awesome is his ability to get under your skin. He's classless but he's all the more dangerous because of that.

That used to be his skill....now other players and his lack of form get under his own skin, resulting in ridiculous behavior.

He seems very pacy and had a decent shot. But then again these are only youtube videos, and we all know that even Ibra looked great in those damn things.

I hope he succeeds for us. And we paid a reasonable amount for him it appears.

Ibrahimovic is a worldclass striker, no doubt. But I dont think he had the willingness to adapt to Barca. Possibly because he thinks he doesnt have to due to his status. Afellay is a different player. Former PSV-coaches mentioned that Afellay is eager to learn and has a great ability to adapt. That makes him coachable. Looking at the behavior of Ibrahimovic I really doubt if thats the case with him.

 

[Flavia]

He seems very pacy and had a decent shot. But then again these are only youtube videos, and we all know that even Ibra looked great in those damn things.

I hope he succeeds for us. And we paid a reasonable amount for him it appears.

His transfer fee is reportedly 3.5 million euros... that's cheap.

 

[xboogiex]

J. Cruyff

Cruyff: "Afellay example for other talents"

The career planning Ibrahim Afellay can count on approval of Johan Cruyff. "Number Fourteen" calls the PSV midfielder an example for other Dutch talents.

"For years, he quietly waited for the club that he himself thought fit. Meanwhile, he developed talent into determining player at PSV, so the level of in him interested clubs also increased," said Cruyff in his column in The Guardian.

"I do not know if Afellay in Barcelona will soon pass, but the omens are good. He will have to take the higher ball speed and playmaking sharper, but frankly he has it in him to pick it up."

"I think the career planning Afellay an example for many other talents in Holland. With 24 years delivers proof that you are quite a few years can wait, without being worse of it. Furthermore, it shall ensure, by working to an intermediate transfer, proper for his club PSV still get money for him. Afellay's transition to Barcelona is therefore a transfer model. Very good. "


btw it google translate.