24 - Thomas Vermaelen

[clemente]

Not like he would have played anyway, Rakitic plays every match, so will Pique, no matter how tired and useless he is.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Is there any talented Barca B cb who can fill in, in case of emergency?

No, they're all bang average.

Best we have is Cuenca who is average, and Ronald Araújo who will get his work permit this month and didn't even play a second in Europe.
I won't blame EV if he decided to use Busquets or Semedo as CB, hopefully the later

 

[El Gato]

Chill people. He's 4th in succession. The trio higher up in rotation barely get injured. Madrid did the same. Playing Busi at CB in emergency isn't even a wholly terrible plan.

 

[xXKonan]

Rac1 says the injury looks bad.

I wonder how Rakitic can fair at CB. He's smart enough when it comes to tactical stuff I think it might work if we really need it.

 

[BBZ8800]

Chill people. He's 4th in succession. The trio higher up in rotation barely get injured. Madrid did the same. Playing Busi at CB in emergency isn't even a wholly terrible plan.

Umtiti is injured.
Vermaelen is injured.

 

[El Gato]

Umtiti is injured.
Vermaelen is injured.

Your point? 2 CBs for the next game + Umtiti returning soon. Madrid had Ramos/Varane + Vallejo out on a number of occasions and survived. Some people need perspective on rotation. Finding a veteran who'd be happy to be a benchwarmer and wouldn't fuck shit up when being included in the side is like finding a golden nugget a lot of times.

 

[xXKonan]

Your point? 2 CBs for the next game + Umtiti returning soon. Madrid had Ramos/Varane + Vallejo out on a number of occasions and survived.

Umtiti will likely have surgery and will be out for four more months as the treatment on his knee isn't working.

 

[te amo barca]

Your point? 2 CBs for the next game + Umtiti returning soon. Madrid had Ramos/Varane + Vallejo out on a number of occasions and survived. Some people need perspective on rotation. Finding a veteran who'd be happy to be a benchwarmer and wouldn't fuck shit up when being included in the side is like finding a golden nugget a lot of times.

Umtiti is out until January I think.

 

[El Gato]

Fair enough.

Still, that's something that couldn't have been predicted and quality 4th CBs who are willing to rot on the bench are difficult to find.

In the real world, Pique is actually a perfect 4th CB material. Or to be more precise, he is exactly what you'd look for if he wasn't fucked in the head. He'd probably sooner go to Miami with Griezmann than chill in Barcelona and get his paycheck.

So go nab one of City's players.

 

[DonAK]

Your point? 2 CBs for the next game + Umtiti returning soon. Madrid had Ramos/Varane + Vallejo out on a number of occasions and survived. Some people need perspective on rotation. Finding a veteran who'd be happy to be a benchwarmer and wouldn't fuck shit up when being included in the side is like finding a golden nugget a lot of times.

We have one and a half CBs left with Umtiti out for months and Vermaelen probably anywhere between 2-8 weeks. Who knows with this dude.

 

[wisconsincule]

NOOOOOOOO. Fuck.

 

[xXKonan]

I get that he's a good CB on form and when he's "Fit" Keyword being Fit.

But sadly we put to much trust in for him to be our 4th CB. He's one of those CBs you would like to have in your squad as a 5th choice behind the other four if you don't trust your B team CBs. Getting Lenglet was great but not getting an RCB to go along with Lenglet that we can rely on as well hurt us this time.

 

[Vahue]

We're fucked if Lenglet gets injured. On the other hand, at least Valverde has no choice but to play him now

 

[Alik]

Couldn't have predicted this situation. Vermaelen as a 4th option shouldn't have been a risky option, yet here we are.

And to make matters even more weird, it was an injury incurred during his time with the national team.

 

[El Gato]

I get that he's a good CB on form and when he's "Fit" Keyword being Fit.

But sadly we put to much trust in for him to be our 4th CB. He's one of those CBs you would like to have in your squad as a 5th choice behind the other four if you don't trust your B team CBs. Getting Lenglet was great but not getting an RCB to go along with Lenglet that we can rely on as well hurt us this time.

5th CB... name one for any big club playing 4 at the back.. No such thing man

Problem being even a 4th CB is that you barely ever even get on the bench, even when fit. Only low end Copa rounds. Zero match continuity guarantee which is utterly paramount for defenders. Either get a vet who knows his shit, won't do something a rookie would, knows the club and is willing to gel the locker room, or a young-un under 24 if your CBs are 30+ who will always be motivated to push his mates and get his time in scarce fixtures. Look among big teams anywhere outside of English league (who have more fixtures and mildly larger squads in general) and you'll struggle to find 4th CB who isn't an afterthought.