Dante is somehow solid. Doesn't get easily bullied by strikers and a real force in the air. Only cons for Dante are age and the fact that he's indeed, a reckless tackler.
He's too committed to those 1-2s with Messi. I sometimes feel that Alves has 2 options lately when he's on attack, cross to row z or look for Messi and pass only to Messi. Even when Leo isn't in a good position to receive a pass.
High expectations and bad approach are hurting him big time. Still he hasn't shown much of what we all saw of him in Barca B or before, but I'm still hoping that Lucho will get it right soon.
If by any chance Vermaelen can be fit by December (god only knows when will he ever be), Busquets should have the operation, stick Mascherano in DM, get Samper for cover. We should be fine at CB with Bartra, Mathieu and the 2 others that we have.