Marlon Santos

[God Serena]

The 1st team played several seasons with no LCB. While it's obviously great to have one, it's not worth it if the guy is not that good.

I really hope we don't lose Tarin now too, just so Gerard can continue with his fixation with Martinez.

And if he doesn't, then Lucho can at the very least call Tarin up to train with the 1st team, but that doesn't seem like it's happening either. I don't really get it. Tarin has been one of the best defensive prospects and was good last season, def in top 3 for Barca B, and he's benched for a new guy and even seeing them getting a call-up for the 1st team.

What message are Gerard and Lucho sending? Do great, but you're still going to be behind newcomers who aren't convincing?

Lucho seems prejudiced against La Masia defenders, in general. The only B team defender he's used with any consistency is Juan Camara and he's just a winger who plays as a LB for the first team every now and then. It's really puzzling how Lucho can flat out ignore talents like Tarin and Grimaldo while giving callups to Marlon because he looks promising and Martinez because... why exactly? A question has to be asked if Lucho would rate Grimaldo or Tarin or Palencia (Let's be real here, he's not the most talented but he's a Lucho type of defender to the highest level) higher if they were signed to the B team, rather than promoted from Juvenil A.

 

[xXKonan]

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[xXKonan]

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[khaled_a_d]

And if he doesn't, then Lucho can at the very least call Tarin up to train with the 1st team, but that doesn't seem like it's happening either.

What message are Gerard and Lucho sending? Do great, but you're still going to be behind newcomers who aren't convincing?

I am not sure why we are bringing Lucho to such discussion tbh,he isn't the one benching Tarin
I think Lucho is dealing with B team through Gerard (which I think it was the case to some extent during his tenure with B team during Pep days) and when Gerard tells him about someone he listens. Mujica was called to 1st team weeks after playing with B team based on Gerard words to Lucho.
He will have his own preference when it come to promotions but for just calling 1st team I doubt he will call some one who didn't convince the B team coach.

The 1st team played several seasons with no LCB. While it's obviously great to have one, it's not worth it if the guy is not that good.

Has it ever happened that such position really existed in 1st team? The last starting left footed CB we had was De Boer IIRC. Abidal played their a little too.

 

[navidjaan]

Has it ever happened that such position really existed in 1st team? The last starting left footed CB we had was De Boer IIRC. Abidal played their a little too.

It's a new trend, and Lucho and his staff are obviously fixated about it. They've made 3 CB signings since they took over, and all the signings have been LCB's. Mathieu, Vermaelen and Umtiti.

 

[xXKonan]

 

[xXKonan]

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[Barcaman]

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Funny pose

 

[Horatio]

Looks like he's playing tennis.

 

[Barcaman]

Not looking well for him with club looking for yet another defender.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Not looking well for him with club looking for yet another defender.

There is a really good chance that we will have neither Mathieu nor Mascherano next season tbh. We should be looking for a couple of CBs at least and one of them could be Marlon.
Way too early tbh

 

[God Serena]

There is a really good chance that we will have neither Mathieu nor Mascherano next season tbh. We should be looking for a couple of CBs at least and one of them could be Marlon.
Way too early tbh

Mascherano is renewing until 2019 tomorrow so I don't see him leaving, although he probably will lose his starting spot.

Although Lucho leaving either this summer or next opens all kinds of potential doors for not just Marlon, but Tarin as well, so we'll just have to see how things develop.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Mascherano is renewing until 2019 tomorrow so I don't see him leaving, although he probably will lose his starting spot.

Although Lucho leaving either this summer or next opens all kinds of potential doors for not just Marlon, but Tarin as well, so we'll just have to see how things develop.

I don't think renewing will mean a lot in Mascherano case tbh. Think after the season he will still demand to leave specially if he feels he will lose his starting job. And I don't think we will be against it too much with his age and decline
Don't think Tarin problem is with Lucho,he will need to convince Gerard 1st b4 getting a call from a 1st team coach.
But Gerard himself has expiring contract IIRC

 

[God Serena]

I don't think renewing will mean a lot in Mascherano case tbh. Think after the season he will still demand to leave specially if he feels he will lose his starting job. And I don't think we will be against it too much with his age and decline
Don't think Tarin problem is with Lucho,he will need to convince Gerard 1st b4 getting a call from a 1st team coach.
But Gerard himself has expiring contract IIRC

I don't know if Mascherano is even capable of losing his starting spot though. If Lucho would keep Adriano/Mathieu as first subs for Alba no matter how many games they cause us to lose I find it easy to imagine him keeping Masche as starter no matter how he plays.

Tarin used to start every game for Barca B and was still ignored by Lucho. Not sure why Lopez doesn't play Tarin when the defense is in such a shambles now but Marlon's signing is definitely a major factor. If Lopez's contract is really running out at around the same time as Lucho's that would probably be the best for us all around, refreshing both the B and first teams.

 

[Alarcón]

Lucho obviously likes Umtiti. I think it's pretty likely he will replace Masche as starting CB if he continues improving. Pretty sure Sergi Roberto would have replaced Dani as well if the latter had stayed this season. Lucho isn't keen on giving young players who have not yet proven themselves a lot of playing time but if someone is objectively better, he will play.