14 - Javier Mascherano

[Theconomist]

Having followed Mascherano since West Ham days I'd like you to go back a few pages and look at all the haters.
I TOLD YOU SO!

 

[soarq]

B.E.A.S.T. I hope he will retire here and become Barca legend.

 

[Barcafan 2304]

As long as he is performing, why not? Why would you want to leave Barcelona

 

[Barcilliant]

Almost as vital to Barca now as Messi is. May his great form continue!

 

[rmpcsl]

He is now starter for sure but going forward he will play CB or DM?
Pique/Puyol
....Masch
or
Pique/Masch
....Busq
??

If he continues CB we should bring back Oriol from Chelsea.
If he is going to play DM we really need a CB for now.

(IMO CB will be needed reagardeless when Puyol retires but we can wait till then)

 

[La LL]

 

[Barcafan 2304]

He is now starter for sure but going forward he will play CB or DM?
Pique/Puyol
....Masch
or
Pique/Masch
....Busq
??

If he continues CB we should bring back Oriol from Chelsea.
If he is going to play DM we really need a CB for now.

(IMO CB will be needed reagardeless when Puyol retires but we can wait till then)

DM for me and someone we can call upon to do a job as CB when needed

 

[LaMessiah]

DM for me and someone we can call upon to do a job as CB when needed

he has no chance to be the starter at DM, he definitely has a chance to be a starter at CB even when puyol is fully fit. think his speed and tackling make him the first choice center of the 3-4-3

 

[Barcilliant]

CB for sure. His strength is his aggressive tackling. His positioning and tactical awareness are good but will get better. Note how Pep always conveys instructions to Masche on the sidelines. I remember Pep saying Masch was an intelligent player when he first joined. I was a little surprised by that statement but he is adapting well to the more technical play of La Liga. In the EPL Masch's job was simply to run around and clatter into opposition players without thinking. At Barca his passing has improved alot and his other skills will too. Love his attitude-remember how people were dissing him at the begining? Well, he has waited patiently and has taken his chances. He is a great example to the other fringe players because thats what he was when he first came here.

 

[rmpcsl]

So we should bring Oriol per Busq sub right? (since he is not getting minutes on Chelsea)
And wait till Puyol retires to buy an starter/expensive CB.
Kinda like this defence rotation:
Dani/Pique/Masch/Abi
Montoya/Puyol/Fontas(maybe Botia or Batra cause seems he isn't good enough)/Adriano

 

[Psychaz]

probably one of the first teams on the teamsheet now, can't wait to see him and Pique play alongside, think it would be a real good partnership

 

[Barcafan 2304]

Perhaps. Certainly, both of them have been immense. Just in the long-term, i would like to see a new, quality CB

 

[Myrmecophile]

Anyone have a bigger version of this pic or in higher res?

 

[Barcafan 2304]

He love ths club don't he? Any doubters have surely been silenced

 

[Pride]

I like it when Mascherano celebrates making a huge tackle like he just scored a goal.