Ligue 1

[DonAK]

I think most people here would accept Diaz for 30m, begrudgingly so maybe

The age + price is what ruins it. I doubt we'll offer more than 50-60m max, but even that price is tough to accept.

There is no upside with Diaz unlike Kvara, Leao, Nico who are younger. Nothing to do with the player itself. Just not smart business.

 

[Maradona37]

I get the angling with Luis Diaz to be honest. It's the profile we need.

But he is a 30-40m squad player.

Maybe Flick can squeeze some extra juice out of him compared to Klopp and Slot though?

Diaz could be fine as a rotation option, maybe he could do a Raphinha and improve his level, but that doesn't happen that often. With Flick's coaching as you say maybe he can get him playing better than ever.

The overall point is this is why these guys are coaches or sporting directors and are paid the big bucks - to identify the right guys profile, attitude and ability wise, then once they're there, to coach them so as to maximise their abilities.

What we do - discussing it on forums - is just transfer muppetry. It's up to these guys to make the hard choices and get the right player at the right time.

 

[Temptation]

I think most people here would accept Diaz for 30m, begrudgingly so maybe

The age + price is what ruins it. I doubt we'll offer more than 50-60m max, but even that price is tough to accept.

There is no upside with Diaz unlike Kvara, Leao, Nico who are younger. Nothing to do with the player itself. Just not smart business.

30? He definitely won't be sold for 30.

I think Edwards will take 60. They're just playing hard to get with the 85 mil price tag floating around. Common negotiation tactic.

He's a very frustrating player and a bit of a bottler. Great dribbler/ball carrier with good pace though.

 

[Joan]

Diaz is a mid player at best and too old for us to be making a significant investment. I’d hate to see us spend north of 50m on someone like him, even if the profile seems right.

More broadly, I think it’s a poor strategy to target mid players with the hope that a new environment, a bigger club, or Flick himself elevates them to a level they’ve never reached before. Especially when used to justify inflated fees on the basis of potential that’s not even there. Makes even less sense with players who are already pushing 30.

 

[Porque]

Diaz could be fine as a rotation option, maybe he could do a Raphinha and improve his level, but that doesn't happen that often. With Flick's coaching as you say maybe he can get him playing better than ever.

The overall point is this is why these guys are coaches or sporting directors and are paid the big bucks - to identify the right guys profile, attitude and ability wise, then once they're there, to coach them so as to maximise their abilities.

What we do - discussing it on forums - is just transfer muppetry. It's up to these guys to make the hard choices and get the right player at the right time.

Good post.

Another factor will be overseas Internationals. We saw this year how going to SA pretty fucked Raphinha at seasons business end.

Diaz doubles that.

European players are most reliable.

 

[Windhook]

The problems in defence need to be addressed first, rather than talk who's going to be the backup for Raphinha or Lamine.

 

[Maradona37]

The problems in defence need to be addressed first, rather than talk who's going to be the backup for Raphinha or Lamine.

GK and striker are areas to strengthen too in my opinion. As I said in the priority transfer thread.

I know some people are happy with Tek and Lewy (and Ferran as backup), but I wouldn't be so sure.

Of course with finances as they are only so much can be done.

 

[Joan]

The problems in defence need to be addressed first, rather than talk who's going to be the backup for Raphinha or Lamine.

In terms of personnel or setup?

Might be another summer where we only sign one player.

 

[Maradona37]

Diaz is a mid player at best and too old for us to be making a significant investment. I’d hate to see us spend north of 50m on someone like him, even if the profile seems right.

More broadly, I think it’s a poor strategy to target mid players with the hope that a new environment, a bigger club, or Flick himself elevates them to a level they’ve never reached before. Especially when used to justify inflated fees on the basis of potential that’s not even there. Makes even less sense with players who are already pushing 30.

On second paragraph, yeah it's a risk. Generally the player has to have the right ability and mentality himself. There needs to be a baseline.

Coaches aren't miracle workers. They can improve players but they won't have averagely talented footballers playing like a world-class player, most of the time. It can happen but it's unusual, so as you say, hedging bets on Flick or a new environment improving a player vastly won't work most of the time. The odds are often against it. Better to make the safe play, especially with Barca's financial constraints.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Diaz is a mid player at best and too old for us to be making a significant investment. I’d hate to see us spend north of 50m on someone like him, even if the profile seems right.

He is mid for a starter in CL contender, but he won't join for that role tbh. He is more or less the 3rd winger for us.

The thing is, there is a lack of talents in the LW position. Outside of RM who has 3 players capable of being good/elite starters in it, and to lesser extent PSG, I can't think of many big clubs that are satisfied with their LW.

Barca? Sure, but many fans will keep talking about Raphinha not being "natural".

Atletico? Almost no one.
Bayern? All mid players, they are in the market for one.
Arsenal? Almost every Arsenal fan think they are in desperate need of a new starter.
Liverpool? They wish upgrade over Diaz.
Chelsea? Don't watch them that much, maybe Neto and Madueke combo is working.
Manu? They need LF/LW
City? Again, they will be in the market for a new starting LW most likely.

Real and PSG have been hoarding talents in that position.

The candidates for it are also underwhelming. Enough was said about Diaz, but Nico comes with expensive package and it doesn't seem he is really that interested in joining us, and he had underwhelming campaign this year despite Bilbao doing better overall. Lookman is same age and price of Diaz, has similar level,less experience but since he isn't as exposed as Diaz, fans will take him over Diaz.

After that you are either gambling on some kid like Fofana/Gittens/Nusa, or talking yourself into the Sane of the world. I doubt most of those will come cheaply.


And for the record, I am not advocating for Diaz, but I can see the logic behind it

 

[Windhook]

In terms of personnel or setup?

Might be another summer where we only sign one player.

I don't think it will be a crisis summer like last year with just Olmo. A defender and winger will be signed fo' shizzle. The winger I don't expect to be groundbreaking signing, though.

Another GK is long shot, this headache of MATS being team captain will mark another season IMO.

 

[Maradona37]

Good post. I would say Marmoush could take the next step to world-class LW. He can really play all along the front line, LW, number 10 and number 9. Think he could be really good for them coming in from the left in the long run.

Overall though that's an interesting post. Many people say that, goalscoring wise, and with inverted wingers generally being a team's biggest goalscorer, LW is the most important position. But there actually seems a real shortage of world-class ones right now. You can actually argue the very best ones are RW (Lamine and Salah).

There's some LW I really like (Lookman, Mitoma for example) but I wouldn't say they have world-class potential.

 

[MonteCuler]

I wonder if there are any chances Barcola leaves PSG this summer, I'd take him tbh

 

[Porque]

The Sardines done excellent moves by getting ahead of the market this winter by closing Kvara and Marmoush. I much prefer the former, been raving about him for years. But alas.

 

[Windhook]

Good post. I would say Marmoush could take the next step to world-class LW. He can really play all along the front line, LW, number 10 and number 9. Think he could be really good for them coming in from the left in the long run.

Overall though that's an interesting post. Many people say that, goalscoring wise, and with inverted wingers generally being a team's biggest goalscorer, LW is the most important position. But there actually seems a real shortage of world-class ones right now. You can actually argue the very best ones are RW (Lamine and Salah).

There's some LW I really like (Lookman for example) but I wouldn't say they have world-class potential.

If I was Deco I would have somebody on mind who's adapt at playing on both wings.