Ernesto Valverde - V1

[DonAK]

Suarez/Busquets/Pique)

If Pique continues the same way to retirement with the way he's been playing we should be looking towards De Ligt next summer.

We do have some ageing players for sure, but Valverde should be able to play a more dynamic style of football and be braver this year. If he can't do that then good bye.

 

[Sorin]

No excuses for discount Mourinho. You either deliver entertaining football with trophies or you gone. Win-win eh?

 

[Joan]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see him staying for another season even if it's a successful one.

 

[Neeraj]

One of the main problems we seem to have with the 4-3-3 is where to fit Messi. The main problem with 4-4-2 is the lack of width and not being able to fit in Dembele and Malcolm. I know it's unlikely to happen (though Enrique did try it a couple of times), but I wonder if we would be more suited to a 3-5-2 with the personnel we currently have. The reason I was thinking about this was that with the way our wing backs play, we sort of play with wing backs rather than LB/RB anyway - However, what happens to us in counters is that there's often an overload of players on one side, and a sort of meaningless overload which doesn't really help us (a cluster of players not contributing to the play and yet out of position defensively) - this leads to opposition running at our 2 CB's.

With a 3 CB system, I think there could be more balance in attack and defense, keeping in mind the players we have in our roster.

Something like-

--------------Lenglet--Umtiti--Pique
Semedo Rakitic/Vidal Bob/Busquets Alba
----------Messi/Coutinho
Dembele/Malcolm---- Suarez

This wouldn't necessarily have to be our go to formation, but would be interesting to see something like this. You could fit various personnel like Arthur, Alena, etc. in a lot of these positions and in an offensive transition, you'd have a lot of these players ending up where they end up anyway (Coutinho on the left hand side of the D, etc.)

 

[FCBfan22]

One of the main problems we seem to have with the 4-3-3 is where to fit Messi. The main problem with 4-4-2 is the lack of width and not being able to fit in Dembele and Malcolm. I know it's unlikely to happen (though Enrique did try it a couple of times), but I wonder if we would be more suited to a 3-5-2 with the personnel we currently have. The reason I was thinking about this was that with the way our wing backs play, we sort of play with wing backs rather than LB/RB anyway - However, what happens to us in counters is that there's often an overload of players on one side, and sort of meaningless overload which doesn't really help us - this leads to opposition running at our 2 CB's.

With a 3 CB system, I think there could be more balance in attack and defense, keeping in mind the players we have in our roster.

Something like-

Lenglet Umtiti Pique
Semedo Rakitic/Vidal Bob/Busquets Alba
Messi/Coutinho
Dembele/Malcolm Suarez

This wouldn't necessarily have to be our go to formation, but would be interesting to see something like this. You could fit various personnel like Arthur, Alena, etc. in a lot of these positions and in an offensive transition, you'd have a lot of these players ending up where they end up anyway (Coutinho on the left hand side of the D, etc.)

Pique RCB in 3 CB formation? Please no. A horror beyond belief.

 

[Neeraj]

Pique RCB in 3 CB formation? Please no. A horror beyond belief.

That's the thing though, he ends up there most of the time in counters anyway. Except there's nobody behind him to cover. I get your point that Pique is a horror at the touchline, but I can't see us dropping him, and I'd much rather him on RCB than CB to be honest, where his screw ups would be even more glaring. When we have our shape, one of Semedo or Vidal/Rakitic should be present to snuff that right side anyway. It's only when we are left against counters when Pique would need to cover that flank (which let's face it, he does anyway).

 

[henias]

The only proven upgrade is Malcolm, up until we see Arthur in official games in Europe. This off-season looks a lot like 2016 and I won't start saying we have best squad in the world without seeing what this players actually have, and how our old players will do (won't be surprised of some continued bad decline from Suarez/Busquets/Pique)

Is it do or die for him? it is his contract year so regardless of transfers it is a do or die for EV

Then it is up to EV to phase the old guys out and start trusting new players and developing them like how Enrique did for Xavi. His change of style is a major factor as well. If so many signings "fail" then obviously something is wrong with how he handles the team.

Whether or not the signings are proven or not proven, as a manager he obviously needs to take risks now that he has better resources. Like you said, sticking with the old guys is not a viable solution as well as they are on a constant decline. If he never wish to take any steps in transforming the squad then obviously we will always be stuck in limbo. Dembele and Semedo failed to be integrated last season. If this year he fails to integrate Arthur, Lenglet or Malcolm then it's gonna be a major issue. Then people will start complaining about our squad being old and slow.

Doubt this is anything like 2016 with players like Gomes, Arda Turan.

 

[gasgas]

One of the main problems we seem to have with the 4-3-3 is where to fit Messi. The main problem with 4-4-2 is the lack of width and not being able to fit in Dembele and Malcolm. I know it's unlikely to happen (though Enrique did try it a couple of times), but I wonder if we would be more suited to a 3-5-2 with the personnel we currently have. The reason I was thinking about this was that with the way our wing backs play, we sort of play with wing backs rather than LB/RB anyway - However, what happens to us in counters is that there's often an overload of players on one side, and a sort of meaningless overload which doesn't really help us (a cluster of players not contributing to the play and yet out of position defensively) - this leads to opposition running at our 2 CB's.

With a 3 CB system, I think there could be more balance in attack and defense, keeping in mind the players we have in our roster.

Something like-

--------------Lenglet--Umtiti--Pique
Semedo Rakitic/Vidal Bob/Busquets Alba
----------Messi/Coutinho
Dembele/Malcolm---- Suarez

This wouldn't necessarily have to be our go to formation, but would be interesting to see something like this. You could fit various personnel like Arthur, Alena, etc. in a lot of these positions and in an offensive transition, you'd have a lot of these players ending up where they end up anyway (Coutinho on the left hand side of the D, etc.)

So one of Messi/Coutinho will be a benchwarmer while Suarez is a guaranteed starter?

 

[Neeraj]

So one of Messi/Coutinho will be a benchwarmer while Suarez is a guaranteed starter?

Not necessarily. You could have Coutinho ride the bench in one situation, or have Malcolm play as a striker and have Messi and Coutinho behind him. I don't propose we use this lineup as our go to lineup as such, but it would be interesting to see how something like this would work, when we come up against someone where we need an alternate formation/way of playing.

 

[khaled_a_d]

.

Arda came in 2015 btw, 2016 was a movement of youth under new sporting director after winning the domestic double. People were happy with the signings much like this summer hence the comparison
You are arguing against EV, fine. But I am talking about the squad we have and in all honesty I don't think "He's got a killer squad with great depth." as I quoted above.
If the new players fails, it speaks more about the sporting director than the coach anyway., though coach have some share of the blame

 

[RMU ReBorn]

Can't wait to see the excuses when Sarri is losing league against klopp, pep and mou

Can't wait to see the excuses when Pep loses to Klopp with a better team and a rejuvenated Chelsea side . Chelsea was too much for pep to handle when conte had ideas and imagine what Serri can do to the one dimensional football of Pep . Last season city didn't had any contender in League , especially their midfield was on full swing . Now they have a injured Dm , Toure left , couldn't sign Jorgi . Those who doesn't give credit to Ev for winning league title will be on full swing to defend guardian angel Pep .

Mou is out of equation

 

[henias]

Arda came in 2015 btw, 2016 was a movement of youth under new sporting director after winning the domestic double. People were happy with the signings much like this summer hence the comparison
You are arguing against EV, fine. But I am talking about the squad we have and in all honesty I don't think "He's got a killer squad with great depth." as I quoted above.
If the new players fails, it speaks more about the sporting director than the coach anyway., though coach have some share of the blame

Maybe not a killer squad, but definitely much improved and definitely something u can work on, unlike players like Gomes who doesnt even suit our style. So will need to see more improvement, transformation and rotations. Could turn out to be killer squad if EV is brave anough.

Like u said, old players are on a decline. So all the more EV needs to take a leap forward and transform the squad. Coaches manages the squad, of course they are responsible. And I think the signings made so far have been much much better than what we did the past 2-3 years. So no excuses.

 

[henias]

Can't wait to see the excuses when Pep loses to Klopp with a better team and a rejuvenated Chelsea side . Chelsea was too much for pep to handle when conte had ideas and imagine what Serri can do to the one dimensional football of Pep . Last season city didn't had any contender in League , especially their midfield was on full swing . Now they have a injured Dm , Toure left , couldn't sign Jorgi . Those who doesn't give credit to Ev for winning league title will be on full swing to defend guardian angel Pep .

Mou is out of equation

So by that logic, you arent giving credit for Pep comfortably winning the league as well?

Saari will have to see what he brings. Hard to tell atm.

 

[RMU ReBorn]

So by that logic, you arent giving credit for Pep comfortably winning the league as well?

Saari will have to see what he brings. Hard to tell atm.

It's an incredible achievement . I just went with the logic of few people here. But it seems like people uses two different criteria to judge Pep and Ev .

Pep losing to Liverpool in Cl , a team that had inferior midfield to city . -"forget that . Oh look how he is tearing the Pl apart ,shattering all records " . Not a fraud despite not winning a Cl after leaving Barcelona . Or not even reaching the final

EV's Barcelona loses to Roma 3-0 in Cl . Wins domestic double , having a lead of 15 points over rivals in league " Fraud , Coward , Fucked up Cl tie , Anyone can win the league with Messi , Madrid was out of shape , Atleti chokers , etc etc"

These are the same guys who licks pep's ball everywhere in the transfer threads and other threads and despise every other manager we had and their shortcomings . All of a sudden Pep is the only Barca manager with no weakness . Yeah he was a prominent figure in our rise in European football . Will always be grateful for that . Apart from that i have no sentiments for him , at times hate him for his narcissistic attitude .

 

[Stoichkov1]

It's an incredible achievement . I just went with the logic of few people here. But it seems like people uses two different criteria to judge Pep and Ev .

Pep losing to Liverpool in Cl , a team that had inferior midfield to city . -"forget that . Oh look how he is tearing the Pl apart ,shattering all records " . Not a fraud despite not winning a Cl after leaving Barcelona . Or not even reaching the final

EV's Barcelona loses to Roma 3-0 in Cl . Wins domestic double , having a lead of 15 points over rivals in league " Fraud , Coward , Fucked up Cl tie , Anyone can win the league with Messi , Madrid was out of shape , Atleti chokers , etc etc"

These are the same guys who licks pep's ball everywhere in the transfer threads and other threads and despise every other manager we had and their shortcomings . All of a sudden Pep is the only Barca manager with no weakness . Yeah he was a prominent figure in our rise in European football . Will always be grateful for that . Apart from that i have no sentiments for him , at times hate him for his narcissistic attitude .

Agree with your points except the fact that losing to Roma 3-0 after winning the first leg 4-1 is definitely worse than losing to Liverpool.