Nico Williams

[Ter Stature]

He looked like a fantastic dribbler in reality, he didn't knew what to do beside it.

Yeah, on the wings running with pace, but never centrally, according to those stats he was on the level of Messi Neymar.

That's my thinking too.

What's conservative about dribbling with 42% success? That's on the lower end, so it being conservative would be a bad thing...

It seems this whole discussion broke out because of some pic with dribbles completed, but in reality only one goal plus 3 assists in a great team are not a big achievement. So in your that theory Raphinha is far inferior as player.

And Ezzalzouli is world class by those statistics. Yeah.

What a dumb discussion. Spending 60 million for this dude is just a dumb as spending 200 million for underperforming Haaland. Prices are mostly PR.

 

[MontenegrinCuler]

Why? Nico is three years younger so if anyone he should have more room for improvement.

I've not watched Leao nearly as much as Nico but basically what you're describing is the next Dumbele (without as bad injury history). Consistency is (among availability) one of the attributes that I'm starting to give more and more importance.

And why do you believe he will ever reach his potential if he's inconsistent and apparently has problems with (self)motivation. Sure, sometimes change of club and playing alongside better players will have positive impact but I'd prefer Barca not being the club who will risk with him.

@Horatio No concrete names besides those two I've mentioned who we were linked to recently (and they would primarily be Barca B signings first) but as said, there are other options, it's up to scouts to find them.

The only reason Leao keeps getting compared to Dembele is because he's black and he's fast. Absolutely no similiarities between those 2 other than that.

 

[DonAK]

Why? Nico is three years younger so if anyone he should have more room for improvement.

I've not watched Leao nearly as much as Nico but basically what you're describing is the next Dumbele (without as bad injury history). Consistency is (among availability) one of the attributes that I'm starting to give more and more importance.

And why do you believe he will ever reach his potential if he's inconsistent and apparently has problems with (self)motivation. Sure, sometimes change of club and playing alongside better players will have positive impact but I'd prefer Barca not being the club who will risk with him.

@Horatio No concrete names besides those two I've mentioned who we were linked to recently (and they would primarily be Barca B signings first) but as said, there are other options, it's up to scouts to find them.

I just prefer Leao since he's more explosive, stronger physically, is a more proven goalscorer when he's in form. He's far from a Portuguese Dembele.

But as you said motivation issues and the inconsistency is a worry, which is where I suppose people give him the Dembele tag from. He's not a stupid player though.

I like Nico too. Was banking on the table for him last year.

It's the classic question of ceiling vs. floor. If you're a gambler and can do so without burning yourself you're going to take the player with the higher ceiling and potential to change a game.

Are Barca in that position? Probably not.

Ideally though someone like Son would be great on free transfer with the money spent on FBs and a CF if needed.

 

[Messi983]

The only reason Leao keeps getting compared to Dembele is because he's black and he's fast. Absolutely no similiarities between those 2 other than that.

Only said they are both inconsistent, didn't compare them as players.

 

[MontenegrinCuler]

As for Leao's attitude and motivational problems, as you call it, it's very easy to find where it comes from. He plays for a finished Milan side which probably won't win another trophy in years. He didn't lack any motivation back when he had actual footballers and a good coach next to him and was carrying Milan to Scudetto, UCL semi finals after a long run of disaster seasons.

 

[MontenegrinCuler]

Only said they are both inconsistent, didn't compare them as players.

There is a high chance, although I or anybody else can't know that for sure, that Leao would be more consistent in a better club. Sometimes your performance also depends on the how the team is doing.

 

[Horatio]

Nico should be compared to Dembele tbf.

Similar body types. Long legs that hinder balance and limit movement in small spaces.
Ball springs off foot plenty during first touch.
Not the most physical.

Dembele a bit better balance since he is shorter with lower centre of gravity and in turn better dribbler.

Nico more intelligent player. Doesn’t overestimate ability and releases ball in time.
Nico does have better shot and passing.
Crossing skills quite comparable.

 

[Andresito]

Nico and Leao are signings you get to have as longterm starters. You sit down with their agent and they ask "Raphinha is on course to be Ballon candidate and Yamal is Yamal, what's the plan with my client?" What can you say to convince them to come? "You'll be rotational option", but how many top wingers rotate with each other in top teams?

You have starters and you have backups. You can perhaps sign likes of Doku who are content with a learning year, but Nico and Leao have much bigger status than that.

We should look for cheaper options imo. Either proven veteran like Son or a younger prospect.

 

[jamrock]

Barto mentality, which is why the team stagnated for years.

We can't buy other midfielders because we have Iniesta and Xavi.

If you start a front 3, you need at least 4 players who are starting quality.

Right now we start a front 4, and the drop off from those 4 to what's next is massive.

Nico would have no issues signing for Barcelona, with raphinha and yamal on the team.

Raphinha
Yamal
Nico
Olmo
Lewa.

Leao might, which is why I highlighted attitude as one of Nico's positives.

At one point city has sane, Sterling, Silva and foden all fighting for the starting position on the wings.

If anything that's what they need to go back to.

 

[draconifire]

If we sign LW, I am pretty sure Raf will play as a true CF.
Which he already does in the game, but he wont have Lewa to babysit.

Gives us better wing players, we can look for LB/RB who are more of a playmaker role so we can overload the midfield.
I am up for it. Dont mind it whatsover.

 

[DonAK]

Let's also see where we are FFP-wise next summer

For all we know there might be a pain to register players again ruling out 60-70m signings.

 

[Messi983]

There is a high chance, although I or anybody else can't know that for sure, that Leao would be more consistent in a better club. Sometimes your performance also depends on the how the team is doing.

Yes, I've mentioned that change of scenery could be good for some players. But what if it wouldn't? He's not a 19 yo kid (for whom inconsistency is more understandable) but a player in/entering his prime years. Most times inconsistent players are just that regardless of where they play. Isn't he also the same for Portugal where he's surrounded with better players?

As said I've not watched him much so I'm going here with what @DonAK (who likes Leao so I trust his evaluation) is saying but these are red flags that I would maybe be willing to overlook with a 30-40m player but not for a potential 80m signing. Not in our current situation and with history of big money flops.

As for Leao's attitude and motivational problems, as you call it, it's very easy to find where it comes from. He plays for a finished Milan side which probably won't win another trophy in years. He didn't lack any motivation back when he had actual footballers and a good coach next to him and was carrying Milan to Scudetto, UCL semi finals after a long run of disaster seasons.

But what if we won't be a good team in a few years? Or more likely if we'll have a bad season? Would you prefer to have a player like Raphinha who you know will give 110% even when we are losing or someone who will drop his head and potentially have negative impact on other players.

 

[MontenegrinCuler]

I definitely wouldn't swap Leao for this version of Raphinha we're witnessing now. Wouldn't swap a single LW in the world actually. But it's not like Leao and Rapha can't co exist. Both play LW but can also play in the middle or take on some kind of a striker role as their finishing is really good. Consider also that Olmo is injury prone and Lamine is a teenager that frequently needs rest and you get that these two would actually be a vital part of the team, especially with their physique that can keep them playing good for a long time without getting injured even in tight schedule. Still I do agree Leao is a super risky signing especially price tag considered. I was initially just arguing he is better than Nico, not as an option for Barca future but as a player.

 

[Messi983]

Barto mentality, which is why the team stagnated for years.

We can't buy other midfielders because we have Iniesta and Xavi.

If you start a front 3, you need at least 4 players who are starting quality.

Right now we start a front 4, and the drop off from those 4 to what's next is massive.

Nico would have no issues signing for Barcelona, with raphinha and yamal on the team.

Raphinha
Yamal
Nico
Olmo
Lewa.

Leao might, which is why I highlighted attitude as one of Nico's positives.

At one point city has sane, Sterling, Silva and foden all fighting for the starting position on the wings.

If anything that's what they need to go back to.

Not the case here. I think we all agree we need a better depth upfront but we also need that in other positions and our finances/salary cap are limited so we'll have to decide what position(s) we'll prioritise and if it's better to spend 60m on one player again or maybe we should sign 2-3 players for that money instead. Depends on alternatives too but in theory there is no right or wrong here. We'll just have to wait and see what will happen.

 

[jamrock]

Not the case here. I think we all agree we need a better depth upfront but we also need that in other positions and our finances/salary cap are limited so we'll have to decide what position(s) we'll prioritise and if it's better to spend 60m on one player again or maybe we should sign 2-3 players for that money instead. Depends on alternatives too but in theory there is no right or wrong here. We'll just have to wait and see what will happen.

I get the need to sign more depth especially at FB, I think that's the only position we really lack depth.

But imo, we can find a free or inexpensive backup options at FB.

But with the front 4, the drop off in quality is too much for us to try the Inexpensive option (excluding son).

We can't go in thinking X player wouldn't come because we have A & B player, we should be trying to build as much competition in the team as possible.

I'd rather spend 60m on Nico and 10m 1 FB, 1 Free CB.

Than try to spend 60-70m on 3-4 positions.

I think Fort is good enough as a RB back up and Torres is serviceable to rest Lewa.

The drop off from balde to Martin and the front 4 to whats next is imo, the biggest issues in the squad.