Transfer rumours

[il pepe]

I'm also convince we don't need a striker, unless strikers leave. So first Eto'o or even Henry (who has his trophy now) need to leave, before we talk about a new striker.

If we get a proper left forward, we would have an attacking force of Eto'o, Henry, Messi, Bojan, Pedro and the new winger.
6 for me are enough. More is to danger for bringing to many ego's in the dressingroom, and for youth talents to come through, because we could e.g. Jeffren as an extra winger...

[Galning]

I'm also convince we don't need a striker, unless strikers leave. So first Eto'o or even Henry (who has his trophy now) need to leave, before we talk about a new striker.

If we get a proper left forward, we would have an attacking force of Eto'o, Henry, Messi, Bojan, Pedro and the new winger.
6 for me are enough. More is to danger for bringing to many ego's in the dressingroom, and for youth talents to come through, because we could e.g. Jeffren as an extra winger...

If Eto'o doesn't sign a new contract this summer we're screwed. He only has 1 year left.

[Snyde]

"Immediate planning

“The squad needs to be bigger” stated Guardiola, emphatically. “Next year will be much harder for us. For a start, we could play as many as five more top level matches, the Spanish and European Super Cups, and the World Clubs Cup. And there will also be the African Nations Cup and the World Cup. So, we won’t have much time to work on certain aspects, because we’ll be rushing from one game to the next without time to get much done”. " - FCBarcelona.com

Positive news as far as i'm concerned. People will certianly leave, but it seems that Pep will be looking to add more compared to the number of players that leave, including adding a couple of youth players for sure.

If we look deeply into that statement we can find out a few things. Most importantly of those is that Masia players will play a bigger role. I think that is directly implied with the internationals and 'without time to get much done.' The youth players will be crucial as they would work throughout the international break and would play a bigger role in matches after the break. That would help them to be even better back-ups than before. Ofcourse it could also mean we go in for players who won't be part of their NTs.

Secondly, it's easily understandable that there wouldn't be much(any) changes in our system or style of play. And therefore we will only buy players who fit the system well rather than getting to adjust the system around them.

Finally, I think Pep never thought we'll have to play so many matches and that's why he decided to keep a small squad. (Also it's easier to manage) But now Pep thinks we'll be competing for every trophy and will need quality depth, where there will be some rotations without suffering in quality while some top players look to come off the bench and make an impact.

Positives all round as far as I'm concerned, the only worry is the formation of a back up plan or two plus another formation.

[JALJM]

My point is that we don't have a proper back-up for our right back, plus Alves just plays to much. That will come back in our face. We should try to rest him a little bit more. It'll keep him fresher and more out of injury. For me it's not really a surprise he got injured now. He just played too much which makes players more vurnerable for injury's.

I'm for a replacement for as well right and left back. I doubt Sanchez can bring the goods to the table, so Puyol could be the one covering the rightback, but then he should play more as a right back next year. And that was more or less what i meant by moving him permantly to right back.

Have 5 central defenders, for me, is way to much. that means that you some will not even play in matches where the reserve are being played...

Grtz

OK, that makes more sense. I thought you were saying that Puyol's role would become only a backup to Dani Alves, which I don't see happening. But I think you're right that Dani Alves should be spelled more. The amount of running and tackling he does is ridiculous.
And I mostly agree about 5 CBs. 4 is usually a good number, but if we have injury concerns (Milito, Marquez), perhaps another is needed. Even with the bad situation in the CL final with 2 injured & 2 suspended, we still had the ability to start 2 CBs (Pique & Caceres), and Puyol at RB.
The problem is that Pep didn't trust Marty. Replace Caceres with somebody Pep trusts, and we should have enough CBs to cover.
Personally, I like Pique, Puyol, Marquez (if he recovers fully) and one more reliable (Henrique?) with Victor Sanchez as last resort. I can understand if Pep wants another for "depth", but that last person is gonna feel hlebbish next season.

[Warik]

Pep's already said a few weeks ago that Milito will get his chance next season, so that is pretty much a new signing when you think about it.

[il pepe]

Pep is said to have offered Paolo Maldini a job at Barca.

[nebeer]

Barca are reportedly going to place a 45 mil bid for Cesc Fabregas.

[Galning]

Barca are reportedly going to place a 45 mil bid for Cesc Fabregas.

That makes me angry

[Snyde]

I just can't seem to get my head around these figures. It's all so ... insane. Even after this major recession the transfer market is inflated big time.

[il pepe]

I just can't seem to get my head around these figures. It's all so ... insane. Even after this major recession the transfer market is inflated big time.

it's incredible. What is our most expensive player ever for Barca?
30 million for Ronaldinho?

En now 45 million for Cesc??

[Warik]

Overmars is still our most expensive signing. €40.6 million he cost us...

[DivineVisitor]

it's incredible. What is our most expensive player ever for Barca?
30 million for Ronaldinho?

En now 45 million for Cesc??

Let's blame City, Chelsea and Madrid

[il pepe]

Overmars is still our most expensive signing. €40.6 million he cost us...

good player, but that kind of money... unbelievable...

[Galning]

If I was Fabregas, I would wait untill my contract is over and join Barça for free.

[Fourteen]

If we look deeply into that statement we can find out a few things. Most importantly of those is that Masia players will play a bigger role. I think that is directly implied with the internationals and 'without time to get much done.' The youth players will be crucial as they would work throughout the international break and would play a bigger role in matches after the break. That would help them to be even better back-ups than before. Ofcourse it could also mean we go in for players who won't be part of their NTs.

Secondly, it's easily understandable that there wouldn't be much(any) changes in our system or style of play. And therefore we will only buy players who fit the system well rather than getting to adjust the system around them.

Finally, I think Pep never thought we'll have to play so many matches and that's why he decided to keep a small squad. (Also it's easier to manage) But now Pep thinks we'll be competing for every trophy and will need quality depth, where there will be some rotations without suffering in quality while some top players look to come off the bench and make an impact.

Positives all round as far as I'm concerned, the only worry is the formation of a back up plan or two plus another formation.

Yeah, interesting points, Snydey-poo.

There was never anything wrong with the 4-3-3 system, it just needs to right players with the right focus, with the addition of a solid game plan. Things went soft after we won in 2006. In hindsight, thank god they did, because otherwise, if we still achieved this season without winning in 2006, Guardiola might have approached next season in a similar fashion to Rijkaard, but there's not chance of that happening now.

I hope you're right about the youth players and I hope the players we have in our second and third team (perhaps) are good enough to step up and do the business. In any case, we'll need to bring in atleast 2 or 3 good squad players and our link with Forlan is a positive one as he would offer just that and probably more. Does that mean no Villa? - We'll see anyway.

Overmars is still our most expensive signing. €40.6 million he cost us...

No way did he cost that much!?!!?

I'm sure that sort of fee was for Overmars AND Petit, with the largest part of that going for Overmars.

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Does anyone else get the feeling that Ibrahimovich would thrive under Guardiola? It's a possibility, however i'm also thinking that it's a possibility he could rebel to Guardiola's hard line with players.