Our XI for 2019/20

[LABarcaFan]

I will put Griezmann at the center of the attack and bring in Nicolas Pepe, who is natural right wing. Pepe, Griezmann and Dembele, and behind them, Arthur, Messi and De Jong.

 

[LABarcaFan]

If we get more of the same, we might not even make it top 3 in La Liga next year. But let's see.

Board really screwed the pooch on that one. With crazy extensions all over the place, they essentially gave the players the keys to the kingdom. Making the radical overhaul impossible since we can't force them out.
What a drag! So many amazing talents out there available at bargain prices.

TRUE

 

[LABarcaFan]

Great news:

The British station "BeIn Sports" now names Malcom as a candidate for the French club LOSC Lille, because the team was informed about the desire of Nicolas Pepe to leave for another club. That would be a great opportunity for Barca to swap the two players and get rid of the French national Samuel Umtiti. Here is how it can work financially.

RW Nicolas Pepe (24) 60 mil euros plus Brazilian central defender Gabriel (21), 4.56 mil. euros for Malcom (22), 45 mil euro plus midfielder Rafinha, 17 mil euro

This trade will work well for both teams. Gabriel will team-up with Lenglet as a starting central defenders, while Pepe will play at the right wing, which will allow Valverde to move Messi at the middle as a play-maker. Lets hope something can happen in the next few days.

 

[Messi983]

Why would you buy Pepe? We already have Dembele for RW.


Anyway, I get that posting starting XI is fun and interesting but I don't really get the point of this. We are playing 50-60 games every season and there will be injuries/suspensions,... so what I think is more important is to have a better squad depth of the players whom Valverde will trust and use them.

Last year we've had MATS, Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Busi, Raki, Vidal, Coutinho, Suarez and Messi as our most used 11 (based on minutes played) while Semedo, Dembele and Arthur were getting regular playing time as well when healthy. Looking at total minutes played there is a huge dropoff between Arthur (2.478) and Umtiti (1.268). Yeah, Umtiti would play much more if healthy (on Lenglet "cost") so we would probably still stay with let's say 14,5 regulars. Cillessen was also trusted but he was a backup GK who we didn't really need except for CDR games. It's another thing if people believe some players should play more/less or when EV should use them but that's not my point here.


We don't know who might leave but for now I'll assume both Raki+Cou will stay. And I believe Neymar won't return so I won't include him.

Griezmann will replace Malcom, not explicitely by position but we know EV will trust him from the start and play him regularly instead of one of his blacklisted players.

FDJ will overcome Alena on the pecking order and have more important role than him. We don't know how long he'll need to establish himself as a "starter" (again, I don't like this word) but I'm sure if healthy he'll play 2.400-3.000 minutes and possibly more. So another player who will improve overall depth and quality of the team.

We don't know who we'll bring for LB position but whoever will be it's better than have no backup for Alba and use Roberto/Semedo as emergency LBs.

So we'll have MATS, Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Busi, Raki, Vidal, Coutinho, Suarez, Messi, Semedo, Dembele, Arthur, Griezmann, FDJ, new LB and hopefully a healthy Umtiti. That's a core of 17-18 players who EV will use regular. If (God forbid) something happens to MATS then Neto will have EV's confidence as well but for now he's a clear backup and not considered as a core player. It would be good if a fringe squad player like Alena would make a step forward and get more minutes than last season and/or if Todibo would surprise and show he's good enough for 4th CB role for now and maybe can become something more in future but our next season would mostly depends on those 17-18 mentioned players.

Teams are rarely having two players for each position (and with versatility of Roberto, FDJ, Dembele, Griezmann we don't really need that). Every coach has his favourite players and those on his blacklist and EV is not an exception here. He also prefers smaller squads so having 17-18 players he'll trust is better than having just 14-15 and have blacklisted "future players" like Malcom, rejects (Denis, Munir), emergency loanees (KPB, Murillo) or injury prone Vermaelen and Rafinha to fill out the team. If some of players of EV's confidence will leave (like people want) then we are back at 15-16 players and we'll need to bring a new player (but there is no guarantee EV would like him) or some of current players will need to earn more of his confidence and minutes.

 

[PhilS]

I count only 5 players who will not have to really compete to be the first 11: Messi, Alba, Lenglet, Pique, Ter Stegen. And maybe Lenglet is not a sure thing, even though he did so well last year.

A few others may be strong favorites, but they will have to prove it prior to the start of the regular season. Some of the very famous veterans are certain to have reduced roles this season.

 

[LABarcaFan]

Why would you buy Pepe? We already have Dembele for RW.


Anyway, I get that posting starting XI is fun and interesting but I don't really get the point of this. We are playing 50-60 games every season and there will be injuries/suspensions,... so what I think is more important is to have a better squad depth of the players whom Valverde will trust and use them.

Last year we've had MATS, Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Busi, Raki, Vidal, Coutinho, Suarez and Messi as our most used 11 (based on minutes played) while Semedo, Dembele and Arthur were getting regular playing time as well when healthy. Looking at total minutes played there is a huge dropoff between Arthur (2.478) and Umtiti (1.268). Yeah, Umtiti would play much more if healthy (on Lenglet "cost") so we would probably still stay with let's say 14,5 regulars. Cillessen was also trusted but he was a backup GK who we didn't really need except for CDR games. It's another thing if people believe some players should play more/less or when EV should use them but that's not my point here.


We don't know who might leave but for now I'll assume both Raki+Cou will stay. And I believe Neymar won't return so I won't include him.

Griezmann will replace Malcom, not explicitely by position but we know EV will trust him from the start and play him regularly instead of one of his blacklisted players.

FDJ will overcome Alena on the pecking order and have more important role than him. We don't know how long he'll need to establish himself as a "starter" (again, I don't like this word) but I'm sure if healthy he'll play 2.400-3.000 minutes and possibly more. So another player who will improve overall depth and quality of the team.

We don't know who we'll bring for LB position but whoever will be it's better than have no backup for Alba and use Roberto/Semedo as emergency LBs.

So we'll have MATS, Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Busi, Raki, Vidal, Coutinho, Suarez, Messi, Semedo, Dembele, Arthur, Griezmann, FDJ, new LB and hopefully a healthy Umtiti. That's a core of 17-18 players who EV will use regular. If (God forbid) something happens to MATS then Neto will have EV's confidence as well but for now he's a clear backup and not considered as a core player. It would be good if a fringe squad player like Alena would make a step forward and get more minutes than last season and/or if Todibo would surprise and show he's good enough for 4th CB role for now and maybe can become something more in future but our next season would mostly depends on those 17-18 mentioned players.

Teams are rarely having two players for each position (and with versatility of Roberto, FDJ, Dembele, Griezmann we don't really need that). Every coach has his favourite players and those on his blacklist and EV is not an exception here. He also prefers smaller squads so having 17-18 players he'll trust is better than having just 14-15 and have blacklisted "future players" like Malcom, rejects (Denis, Munir), emergency loanees (KPB, Murillo) or injury prone Vermaelen and Rafinha to fill out the team. If some of players of EV's confidence will leave (like people want) then we are back at 15-16 players and we'll need to bring a new player (but there is no guarantee EV would like him) or some of current players will need to earn more of his confidence and minutes.

I will start the answering from the top of your post.
First of all, Dembele is not RW, he is a left wing and that is why, I have mentioned his name as our starting LW. Griezmann will be central forward and if we get Nicolas Pepe, he can play RW. That is a trio of French internationals, who has played together and can communicate easily.That kind of a front line will allow Valverde to move Messi behind Griezmann, as a play-maker. That move will save his legs for another 3-4 years. He would not need to drill into the opponents defense as he has been doing all these years. Then we can have Arthur and De Jong around him. I am not a coach. I am former soccer player and do understand a little bit from placing your best 11 at the right positions.

It is so obvious that our veterans, including Messi are losing ground. Me personally, I don't like the new playing style of Pique. He is leaving his post way too many times, crossing the field and trying to score. That is not his job. We have Messi, Suarez and Dembele/ Coutinho. Also, he is doing way too many mistakes in the penalty area. That is why, I think he should sit on the bench and let someone better and younger take the starting job. The same apply to Busqets and Suarez. They can not play for 90-95 min. every game. Now we have De Jong and Griezmann, so they can join Gerar on the bench. Barca needs some new players. That is obvious. But not someone like Neymar, who has primma-donna attitude. We need hard working, young players, who can help this team in all tournaments. Not just big names.

I agree, that any team, who plays as many games as Barcelona, has to have a dept. The main core of the team are the starting 11. Then you have about 3 - 4 subs, who will get some good playing time and even can be a starters, depending on the opponent. The other 3-4 reserves are players, who rarely got used, but they can also contribute when needed. So we are talking about 17-18 players squad. In order to get new players, we first need to make a room for them. Coutinho, Malcom, Rafinha, Rakitic and Umtiti still have good market value and we can get some good money for them. I don't know if Valverde is counting on Todibo, if not, then we need to find another right central defender. A agree that we have to find a solid back-up for J.Alba, but not another 31-32 y.o. veteran. We need younger player, who can replace Jordi at any moment, without causing a problems to our defense.
All that sad, I can see that Valverde is heavily relaying on his veterans and will continue to do so this season. He needs to change his tactic and start trusting his youngsters more often.

 

[LABarcaFan]

Lo Celso is not a defensive midfielder. he's more of a box-to-box attacking midfielder.

Who told you that? Go check transfermarkt.com to see what is his position. He plays as a central midfielder for Real Betis and the Argentinian national team.

 

[LABarcaFan]

Four forwards? No way Jose. That can not happen. And when I have seen the name of Suarez there, I have spilled my cup of coffee from "excitement".

 

[Marshall D Teach]

I count only 5 players who will not have to really compete to be the first 11: Messi, Alba, Lenglet, Pique, Ter Stegen. And maybe Lenglet is not a sure thing, even though he did so well last year.

A few others may be strong favorites, but they will have to prove it prior to the start of the regular season. Some of the very famous veterans are certain to have reduced roles this season.

This is Valverde we're talking about here. All the veterans will be sure starters. The only ones whose spots are in danger are Arthur and Dembele.

 

[pepi]

 

[snowy]

Great news:

The British station "BeIn Sports" now names Malcom as a candidate for the French club LOSC Lille, because the team was informed about the desire of Nicolas Pepe to leave for another club. That would be a great opportunity for Barca to swap the two players and get rid of the French national Samuel Umtiti. Here is how it can work financially.

RW Nicolas Pepe (24) 60 mil euros plus Brazilian central defender Gabriel (21), 4.56 mil. euros for Malcom (22), 45 mil euro plus midfielder Rafinha, 17 mil euro

This trade will work well for both teams. Gabriel will team-up with Lenglet as a starting central defenders, while Pepe will play at the right wing, which will allow Valverde to move Messi at the middle as a play-maker. Lets hope something can happen in the next few days.

well adding Pepe would be great! + his name already sounds Catalan

 

[Messi983]

First of all, Dembele is not RW, he is a left wing and that is why, I have mentioned his name as our starting LW.

He can play on the left but he's RW for me. He is playing better there than on the left.

Griezmann will be central forward and if we get Nicolas Pepe, he can play RW. That is a trio of French internationals, who has played together and can communicate easily.

Pepe is playing for Ivory Coast NT.

That kind of a front line will allow Valverde to move Messi behind Griezmann, as a play-maker. That move will save his legs for another 3-4 years. He would not need to drill into the opponents defense as he has been doing all these years. Then we can have Arthur and De Jong around him.

This XI would maybe be good or even great offensively but very vulnerable in defense. I haven't watched Pepe much so don't know how he's defensively but Dembele would need to improve a lot to cover for lack of Messi's defending alongside with Griezmann.

Me personally, I don't like the new playing style of Pique. He is leaving his post way too many times, crossing the field and trying to score. That is not his job.

I don't like this either when we're leading (unless it's a big lead so everyone can play more relaxed) but when we needed a goal Pique going forward often brought results.

That is why, I think he should sit on the bench and let someone better and younger take the starting job.

He was shit at the start of last season but improved a lot in second half. We don't have anyone younger and better at his position. If we would get MDL then he could challenge Pique but as of now his starting position is assured. Hopefully Todibo will still get some playing time though.

The same apply to Busqets and Suarez. They can not play for 90-95 min. every game. Now we have De Jong and Griezmann, so they can join Gerar on the bench. Barca needs some new players. That is obvious. But not someone like Neymar, who has primma-donna attitude. We need hard working, young players, who can help this team in all tournaments. Not just big names.

Busi and Suarez should rest more but they will still be important players next season.

Agreed about Neymar.

Coutinho, Malcom, Rafinha, Rakitic and Umtiti still have good market value and we can get some good money for them.

I don't know if their market is really as good. With Chelsea having a transfer ban and United not playing in the CL PSG is probably the only realistic option for Coutinho.

Everton and Arsenal are interested in Malcom but from what I've read they only want him on loan. Which is understandable because they know we want to get rid of him.

Rafinha is injury prone and has just 12 months left on contract. Valencia is lowballing us but there doesn't seem to be other interesting clubs so we'll have to take what we can get.

Raki doesn't want to leave and no club would pay more than 40-50M (if at all) for Umtiti given his injury problems.

agree that we have to find a solid back-up for J.Alba, but not another 31-32 y.o. veteran. We need younger player, who can replace Jordi at any moment, without causing a problems to our defense.

I didn't suggest we should sign a veteran. Junior Firpo seems to be our primary option right now so that's a good news although his injuries are concering.

All that sad, I can see that Valverde is heavily relaying on his veterans and will continue to do so this season. He needs to change his tactic and start trusting his youngsters more often.

Arthur, Dembele and Lenglet all played important minutes and were starters when healthy. Malcom is the only young player who was blacklisted by him.

 

[Never_Forget40]

Lol Griezmann cant play as a winger, he is way too slow.

 

[vlad]

Four forwards? No way Jose. That can not happen. And when I have seen the name of Suarez there, I have spilled my cup of coffee from "excitement".

Also, every decent counter attacking team would exploit all that space behind forwards, since messi doesnt care about defence segment, dembele..., suarez, griezmann, we will see if barca got same griezman who was okay with working hard off the ball under simeone, i doubt it, because valverde and barca really isnt some hardworking team, and that keep costing them in CL, i wonder when will they learn, its not enough just to be skillfull with the ball in todays football.

 

[Marshall D Teach]

View attachment 8488

Still better than Valverde's actual lineup. No way he breaks up his beloved Busquets/Rakitic duo.