5 - Pau Cubarsí

[serghei]

Plenty of CB didn't develop that much physically the way Stones did, and while adding strength is probable, it is unlikely he will gain height and athletic ability.

There is also the point that @Andresito made, development isn't linear for everyone. You can point to players who played their best at late 20's (very few are at their best at early 30's, it is usually end of their prime) but there is also early blommers. A guy like De Ligt looked even better than Cubarsi at 18, and at 26 there is 2 big clubs that were glad to find a decent sale for him.

So, it isn't a sure thing that he will be the best CB or even top 5 when he peaks. There might be players who are far worse now that might end up better, or not.

Absolutely, but I don't see the big fuss even at young talent either. That Levante player turned him around like a pancake. A very suspect player defensively. He'd get little to no playing time in normal condition at a club like Barca.

Good for his age... means jack shit to me. So he's less bad than a normal 17 year old. Big deal. 17-21 is an age for accumulation for young players. The good or bad metric that counts at this stage is how much or if you progress at all so you can become a top player. There is no such thing as top player for his age, it's a fan-made concept.

In fact, getting credit before you earn it as a young player, using age as the main factor, could argued as a disadvantage during the development stage of these players.

 

[JamDav1982]

Already a very very good CB. Will be a top CB for years yet.

That left hand side of defence lacked a bit of experience in first half yesterday.

Balde and Cubarsi were out of position a lot and keeping Celta on.

The Araujo/Garcia side faired better and looked like Celta targetting that Barca left hand side.

 

[serghei]

He's a mediocre defender. Not better than young Bartra. The differrence is Barta had Puyol and Mascherano to compare against, and this guy has some nobodies.

Normally, he's still youth team level that is spotted and in circuit of the first team and getting only easy games here and there as a Barca B player. This guy getting more spotlight than young Busquets and faster promotion is not a sign of his quality, but of our rotten finances.

 

[JamDav1982]

Nah dont agree will be top player for years.

Far better player than Barta has ever been.

 

[serghei]

Need to see him first in a competent defensive setup, but I see a player that has a lot of learning and developing to do.

 

[serghei]

Should be interesting if he gets some consistent minutes for Spain at the world cup. At Flick Barca all defenders look like segunda level so maybe he looks worse than he really is normally. It's a possibility.

 

[DonAK]

Got spun around like a beyblade by Estevao.

 

[MonteCuler]

Comical defending

Wish the club was serious and they signed a CB in January. One of those whose contract runs out in summer

 

[Barcaman]

Not that great 1:1, no pace and no presence in the box.

Good on the ball though.

 

[jamrock]

I thought he did well in the first half.

2nd half not so much

 

[gatsu]

It’s hard to perform when your backline teammates are a mix of recklessness and sheer stupidity

 

[Devils]

He’s a weak little pussy bitch.

Got time on his side but a weak pussy bitch for the time being.

 

[Total-Football]

Few months ago (when under 18 still) and this would have been child molestation. He was eaten alive today.

 

[El Ilusionista]

Still very young and has alot to learn, his time will come no doubt. The only big difference from last season is he had a very experienced Inigo who led our defence, you can’t expect that from a low IQ defender like Araujo. Nor can you expect Cubarsi to lead our back line at age 18.

Blame it on Deco, should have used that little ffp margin we had available to get a defender nope we got a shiny toy Rashy and now our defence is leaking goals left right center

 

[ajnotkeith]

To be honest we are playing a system that demands a vastly higher level from our defenders than what they have.

It is not really his fault. He is a kid and he's hardly physically developed yet let alone ready to play in the most demanding high line in the world.

I think he would look better in a system that is less physically demanding. His defending skills and on ball skills are good but in this scheme the defenders are constantly 1v1 with the attackers.