Jean-Clair Todibo

[Joan]

Not only that I'm okay with it, I love it. Would be quite tiring going through all the Xavi-Iniesta reminiscence if De Jong got it.

He surely will, though. There is no doubt.

 

[Luftstalag14]

You guys are not concerned with his potential lack of playing time?

 

[Andresito]

You guys are not concerned with his potential lack of playing time?

Well it was either lack of playing time at Toulouse or lack of playing time at Barca.

 

[Jakabor]

You guys are not concerned with his potential lack of playing time?

As opposed to training with a youth team or by himself in France?

No. Training with Barca's first team can do wonders. And it's better than the alternative.

 

[soul24rage]

Better to adapt to the city and team, get some pre-season with the club and start fresh for the new season.

 

[Luftstalag14]

As opposed to training with a youth team or by himself in France?

No. Training with Barca's first team can do wonders. And it's better than the alternative.

No argument here. But I wonder why they dragged this on for so long and not have loaned him out when we could. Or at least register him to play for the B team to get some minutes.

 

[FC433]

I completely disagree. If numbers had just been numbers Coutinho would not have taken #7 as soon as it got vacated and Puyol would not have made a big deal of Busquets taking his number after him, nor would Cesc have always wanted to wear #4 due to Pep Guardiola.

It serves some marketing purposes too if Arthur and de Jong have #8 and #6 respectively after the legacies left behind by Xavi and Iniesta in recent times. Barca can market the hell outta the hype both will receive as a duo together.

A lot of squad numbers have mythical meanings to them and #6 at Barca is just like that. If not de Jong, then whoever the best and most suitable academy player should get it.

No way should a central defender have this number.

I get your point. They are even clubs that block certain numbers. But for me, it is not really that important and I do not think it should be important. Cruyff made 14 exceptional and I believe other players could make their numbers also unique.

 

[DonAK]

A part of football is the romanticism of it, alas too many people these days want to remove even that just to be "different" or "refreshing".

At the end it will be left with no soul.

 

[FC433]

No argument here. But I wonder why they dragged this on for so long and not have loaned him out when we could. Or at least register him to play for the B team to get some minutes.

I do not know, but could be part of the contract? I do not believe that he would pick us to play for Barca B when he had offers from other top clubs.

 

[khaled_a_d]

I completely disagree. If numbers had just been numbers Coutinho would not have taken #7 as soon as it got vacated and Puyol would not have made a big deal of Busquets taking his number after him, nor would Cesc have always wanted to wear #4 due to Pep Guardiola.

It serves some marketing purposes too if Arthur and de Jong have #8 and #6 respectively after the legacies left behind by Xavi and Iniesta in recent times. Barca can market the hell outta the hype both will receive as a duo together.

A lot of squad numbers have mythical meanings to them and #6 at Barca is just like that. If not de Jong, then whoever the best and most suitable academy player should get it.

No way should a central defender have this number.

Some players will care about the numbers, but they shouldn't tbh.
And I doubt the club will take number 6 from him, we aren't Chelsea, will be stupid move if not by his request.
Not sure it will make a difference market wise, if FDJ is good he will sell shirts anyway

 

[Joan]

Some players will care about the numbers, but they shouldn't tbh.
And I doubt the club will take number 6 from him, we aren't Chelsea, will be stupid move if not by his request.
Not sure it will make a difference market wise, if FDJ is good he will sell shirts anyway

8 and 6 Iniesta and Xavi ---> Arthur and FdJ

 

[Joan]

A part of football is the romanticism of it, alas too many people these days want to remove even that just to be "different" or "refreshing".

At the end it will be left with no soul.

Sometimes it just feels fake

 

[DonAK]

You know well what I meant, but if you want to act like a smartass so be it I guess.

As for your comment above, then I just pity you. That's all I'll say. Erasing history and symbolism like a true Modern Day 21st century man. Striving to be different and refreshing.

I feel very strongly about certain things. Legacy, history, symbolism. Other people just want to be different I guess.

I just feel all this is very ironic considering it comes from the same people that complain about the woes of modern day football with states and oligarchs taking over football clubs and disintegrating their values and erasing their proud history.

 

[serghei]

You guys are not concerned with his potential lack of playing time?

Only because of Ernie. But why shouldn't he play? If he's as talented as it's been said he should find some games to play in La Liga. We're playing Valladolid at home in a few weeks, here, that's a good game to play him in.

 

[Luftstalag14]

No. Why shouldn't he play? If he's as talented as it's been said he should find some games to play in La Liga. We're playing Valladolid at home in a few weeks, here, that's a good game to play him in.

You seriously think he will get meaningful minutes?

OK, we will see then.