Barcelona have [I suspect] rather stubbornly decided that despite whatever potential and improvements The Tod makes, that he is and never will be the Barcelona profile of centreback. With this type of thinking Puyol would probably struggle to make the first team in this era.
The fact that we lack financial muscle and he is one of our stronger hands to sell with high upside, and this means we are probably offering around half of Europe.
Sadly Pique won't be told to leave anytime. Sadly not while he is bringing the club so much off the pitch benefit in sponsors, contacts, etc. To be honest sporting wise he is one of our lesser problems. His level is still good enough for starting all games. He just needs strong rotation relief and we lack another right footed CB. Age is less of a factor in CBs, he is still surprisingly one of our faster players too.
I don't think we will miss Todibo too much if he is sold to be honest. His style needs alot of development to be played in a back 2 (he is in a back 3 in Shalke and played his best game for us in a back 3). Yes I wish we kept him on a loan like Shalke or sold him with a buyback in a perfect world. Yes, Leipzig would buy him with a buyback option with that option was high enough. They are a business first, football club second and as long as he brought the right ROI then they would take him.
But as were so financially stretched I can understand selling him now.
But my issue is more to lose him and not reinvest with a strong young[ish] replacement that will push all our CB options. Rugani is a safe Barcelona 3rd/4th squad option but I would like someone more inspired with more physical attributes. France is full of these players.
It is the same case as with Emerson, Arthur, Semedo. They can fetch us some money? Fine, ok. But who can you get of similar age for the same or less money that can actually improve our squad? Because if you can name them, then why don't the club who wants Arthur/Semedo buy them instead aswell...
The fact that we lack financial muscle and he is one of our stronger hands to sell with high upside, and this means we are probably offering around half of Europe.
Sadly Pique won't be told to leave anytime. Sadly not while he is bringing the club so much off the pitch benefit in sponsors, contacts, etc. To be honest sporting wise he is one of our lesser problems. His level is still good enough for starting all games. He just needs strong rotation relief and we lack another right footed CB. Age is less of a factor in CBs, he is still surprisingly one of our faster players too.
I don't think we will miss Todibo too much if he is sold to be honest. His style needs alot of development to be played in a back 2 (he is in a back 3 in Shalke and played his best game for us in a back 3). Yes I wish we kept him on a loan like Shalke or sold him with a buyback in a perfect world. Yes, Leipzig would buy him with a buyback option with that option was high enough. They are a business first, football club second and as long as he brought the right ROI then they would take him.
But as were so financially stretched I can understand selling him now.
But my issue is more to lose him and not reinvest with a strong young[ish] replacement that will push all our CB options. Rugani is a safe Barcelona 3rd/4th squad option but I would like someone more inspired with more physical attributes. France is full of these players.
It is the same case as with Emerson, Arthur, Semedo. They can fetch us some money? Fine, ok. But who can you get of similar age for the same or less money that can actually improve our squad? Because if you can name them, then why don't the club who wants Arthur/Semedo buy them instead aswell...
They are so stupid.
