3 - Alejandro Balde

I'm sure Flick had an honest talk with him before pre-season and also last week or so when he mentioned some things in his presser when there were rumours of a transfer.

On top of that Flick is sending a clear message by his choices in the line-ups. With Cancelo not being at 100% after training individually before his transfer, you'd expect Balde taking advantage of that. Even more so because he had a full preseason.

But no, Flick prefers an inexperienced La Masia kid over Balde and rightfully so if you watch the games of Xavi Espart.
 
Barcaman said:
To reconsider his attitude. You are making it sound as if he asked Balde to stay at Barca.
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"Asked to stay" is the general term, doesn't imply "Flick begged Balde". They had a meeting in which Flick indicated to Balde he's part of his plans and go home to think about it.
 
Windhook said:
I don't think Flick asked him to stay just to "wipe the bench". That'd be a total asshole move.

If he trains well, he'll get minutes.
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Flick didn't ask him to stay. Flick explained to him he expects more and he'll have a difficult time to get playing time. Right now, he's the third choice LB, so in order to get minutes, he needs to train exceptionally well.
 
Loki said:
Where did you read this? I have the opposite impression. Flick clearly doesn't count on him based on what he has seen in pre-season. By his words and actions both.
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No. Players who were put on the transfer list trained seperately from the group all summer. Roony and Casado to my knowledge.

The drama with Balde started after the Cancelo transfer a couple of weeks ago.
 
Windhook said:
No. Players who were put on the transfer list trained seperately from the group all summer. Roony and Casado to my knowledge.

The drama with Balde started after the Cancelo transfer a couple of weeks ago.
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Casado and Roony were fringe players. Not comparable. Noone implied Flick was set on selling Balde either. It was fight for your spot or get out.
 
Barcaman said:
Casado and Roony were fringe players. Not comparable. Noone implied Flick was set on selling Balde either. It was fight for your spot or get out.
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Balde was not for sale, because as of early August he was the only proper LB on the squad. Carrot Top was good in friendlies, but kid - try again next year.

The moment Balde saw the headlines on Cancelo he fucked off. I bet he wasn't expecting Barca to sign the very guy who beat him to the spot. Immature and selfish.
 
Windhook said:
Balde was not for sale, because as of early August he was the only proper LB on the squad. Carrot Top was good in friendlies, but kid - try again next year.

The moment Balde saw the headlines on Cancelo he fucked off. I bet he wasn't expecting Barca to sign the very guy who beat him to the spot. Immature and selfish.
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Everyone (including Balde) knew Cancelo was coming back. Balde is stupid. But not that stupid to not have seen it.
 
I can hardly imagine that Baldé will still play a role here. Flick's system seems to be relatively clear. Overloading the left side, creating danger down the left or switching the play to get Yamal into favorable 1v1 duels. At the right side, Eric or Koundé tucks in to form a back three.

Even if Espart is now moved to the right, they will likely do the same with Martini on the left. Espart then pushes forward down the right, and on the left, you would need a left-back who can also tuck into the center.

Baldé is neither capable of defending inside nor (at an absolute top level) of ensuring we capitalize heavily on the numerical superiority on the left. Since we now have Gordon, a player who tends to stick to the touchline, the LB should invert to create danger. But that doesn’t suit Baldé as much as overlapping behind an in-cutting winger. This is usually the type of position where Cancelo thrives the most with his qualities.

Honestly, they should try to cash in on him quickly, as his market value will probably only continue to drop from now on.
 
I think he loses a year of his development if he stays, because he will never get minutes behind Cancelo & Xavi much less Gerard Martin. Copa del Rey is an option but does he accept the humiliating challenge to thrive there in order to earn minutes? I think he has to play & get better, not sure he will get that chance here any longer

Flick has made it clear where he stands on the player’s utility to Barça, won’t really be here
 
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