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    Matthijs de Ligt

    It is quite clear VVD is the better player. Faster and quicker, and more composed and reading of danger. I don't think De Ligt would revolutionize Barca, for sure not short-medium term. Does not mean he wouldn't be a good buy at his age but he would not walk in and all of a sudden he is our...
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    Frenkie de Jong

    I completely agree here. He simply add a dynamism and athletic attributes (and stamina) along with the technique, fast thinking brain and field sense in one package. He will add so much and must (and will be) 1st choice among midfielders on the team sheet. I will apply this even more to Busi...
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    Christian Eriksen

    I think he is good but not great. He was manhandled about as much against Liverpool as our midfielders were. Where we are average to below (lack of explosiveness, physicality and ball winning quickness in midfield) is one area he is mediocre, where he is very good to great (free kicks and...
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    Kylian Muppet

    I think this is the only way, either get him on a free (2023) or last year (2022) deal where Mbappe/his team leaves PSG with no choice. Might be when Messi hangs them up, or goes on a show tour league (US, Asia, Old Boys--but I could only see it if Argentina wins something with him). Can't...
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    Matthijs de Ligt

    They don't need him, but it would be one hell of a way to nail down their backline for years. Gomez can play RB and RCB, so reports TAA might play some midfield, Matip would be on bench. Lovren sold I would guess. As if they were not already a hard enough team to score on. Barca does have a...
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    Barca Transfers and Rumors

    Nice catch, he at best looked like the 3rd best midfielder yesterday and none of them played great. Good player, but I don't think he would dramatically change the barca midfield and his best attributes are not what this barca team is lacking..
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    10 - Lionel Messi - V6

    This is correct - firmino. VVD is great but by no means the decisive player form then. The award will this year is a little bit open (start of next club season, supercups, and international play still considered) but i think it is messi's. Personally i thought Mane was probably the best for...
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    Barca Transfers and Rumors

    I think PEA is harder for a defense to handle than AL
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    Ivan Rakitić

    I agree rakitic should go, where we differ is i think (but you don't) busi should too. They neither are athletic and good enough at winning the 2nd balls and with the pieces around them we need more of that in those midfield spots along with the technique to play possession ball. Busi is also on...
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    Arthur

    These are spot on observations. Unless you are a rare historical machine (and engine run by Xavi/Iniesta in their prime, among other brilliant players) you want some tactical flexibility and to not be entirely predictable. I am pretty hopeful on De Jong & Arthur being core pieces BTW however I a...
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    Ivan Rakitić

    DosAndrea you tool. Honestly are the ban worthy buffoon who cherry picks stats instead of the whole picture from metrics, and of course watching. Go re watch the world cup and watch Busi, watch Rakitic, and get yourself an informed opinion. Bottom line is both should go, along with Valverde and...
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    Ivan Rakitić

    Donandreas often blurs to the extremes. No, over the course of the season none of arthur, Busi, arturo nor rakitic shined all that more than the other, nor failed more drammatically than the others. The simple truth--(balanced) eye tests and stats evaluations and those watched not emotionally...
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    Ivan Rakitić

    Of course per minute or per 90 minutes is the fairest you can get. Doesn't make it perfect, the guy playing half the game can expend more energy per minute than the guy playing 90, but as long as there is a decent sample of minutes over a season or competition it is the best we got. Statistics...
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    Ivan Rakitić

    Glad most see much bigger problems than rakitic. He should go, but so should valverde (#1) and some other players. And no, suarez is not on the list, but we sure need a lot better alternatives to reduce his minutes. Im out to watch my kid play a footy tournament, peace all.
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    Ivan Rakitić

    And even better than using composite stats, someone please explain how football is played in the virtual world of the eyes of homers and haters from the internet peanut galleries. Way more validity that smunchy advanced analytics.
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    Ivan Rakitić

    Usually those stats are adjusted for minutes played, in fact makes it an advantage for a player who knows he an go all out for 30-60 (often Arthur or Vidal) instead of preparing to play 90 like Rakitic and Busquets are most often asked to do. Rakitic has also played all midfield spots, the only...
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    Ivan Rakitić

    Pretty much spot on though I have a few exceptions. Given it was Arthur's 1st year in Europe, I feel much more confident of him being a long term Barca quality CM. Also, it will be hard to get anything for Vidal so I suspect he will stay. Busi I fear is so entrenched we may not move him though I...
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    Ivan Rakitić

    This really isn't relevant unless you stack each one to alternatives like Busi and Arthur and Vidal and Alena and Roberto. What matters is production relative to the current options we have, not compared to all league players. Edited--right as I posted BBZ did some of this work for you.
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    Ivan Rakitić

    Look at goals and assists among midfielders this year, or previous years. Look at clearances. Adjust for minutes played if you want. He has been the best we have had AMONG our midfield options. Even better, look at sofascore or whoscored that combine all relevant statistics into single metrics...
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    10 - Lionel Messi - V6

    Ok they each also have a supercup they an win. Club word cup is after BdO voting. There also is most of the 1st half of next season, and each has an international tournament. All these can be factors in tight races--with the international ones the biggest. Maybe instead of decider I should...

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