2022/2023 Squad Evaluation

[JohnN]

This is our current squad:

GK Marc-Andr? ter Stegen 30
GK I?aki Pe?a 23
GK Arnau Tenas 21
CB Ronald Ara?jo 23
CB Andreas Christensen 26
CB Eric Garc?a 22
CB/LB Marcos Alonso 32
CB/RB Jules Kound? 24
RB H?ctor Beller?n 27
RB Sergi Roberto 30
LB Alejandro Balde 19
LB Jordi Alba 33
DM Sergio Busquets 34
CM Pedri 20
CM Gavi 18
CM Frenkie de Jong 25
CM Franck Kessi? 26
CM Pablo Torre 19
LW Ansu Fati 20
LW Ferran Torres 22
RW Ousmane Demb?l? 25
RW Raphinha 26
CF Robert Lewandowski 34

We only have one, 34yo, CF.
We only have one, 34yo, DM.
In reality, we have no left winger.
Our RB options are not good either, as always.

Considering our sporting direction, financial situation and everything we have to deal with:

Who do you guys reckon is worthy to play for Barcelona?
Who should leave asap and do you have any alternatives?
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My absolute, 100%, dead weight candidates, meaning they bring absolute shit to the team and anyone would do their job, are:
Sergio Busquets, Ferran Torres, H?ctor Beller?n, Franck Kessi?, Ansu Fati (still clinging on to hope, but time is running out on him)

The players I view as still usable for subs / squad depth (supposing they are, or will be, on low wages) are:
Sergi Roberto, Eric Garc?a, Marcos Alonso, Jordi Alba, I?aki Pe?a, Arnau Tenas, Pablo Torre

My 100% worth it players, even if too young, too green or too old are:
Marc-Andr? ter Stegen, Ronald Ara?jo, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kound?, Alejandro Balde, Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Ousmane Demb?l?, Robert Lewandowski

There is also the "not bad enough to go asap, too expensive for our financials to be a sub, not good enough for starter" tier, that is populated by Raphinha.

 

[jamrock]

Only 3 players above 30, I'm shocked, it would sound like we have 10 at times.

The squad is overall pretty solid. Which is excellent considering when Xavi game in we had to start the likes of Abde,mingueza, lord luuk (did well for us) and a few others.

This summer we get in a LF, RB & DM and we should be in a position to push for at least the last 8 of the CL, with a few more years of experience from xavi.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

Replace Busi, sign RB, and proper LW; this team will be cooking.

 

[JamDav1982]

Squad is decent.. the issue is the squad with what Xavi wants to do with it.

Need a DM, RB, cover for Lewa and LW.

Possibly a LB also for depth.. Balde probably not enough to be relied on yet and Alba/Alonso not it.

Be interesting to see how they try to remodel squad.

Would imagine likes of Torres, Raphinha, Kessie will all be on the chopping block. Even Fati possibly if things dont change.

The core of the squad and best players are those that were there already for most part.

Lewa been good.. but is old and short term. Kounde is good also but not a top RB and still lack it... Not even a top RB.. lack an attacking RB to give options at all.

The squad was more than good enough to get out of CL group. Even with the injuiries. Xavi needs to imprpve massively in Europe. Teams who can counter well cause Barca problems. In La Liga none of them really can and lack decent forward players to do it. Real can but they have not got to point they see Barca as having to play like that to this point it seems.

 

[iniestaGOAT]

Replace Busi, sign RB, and proper LW; this team will be cooking.

We will cook next season if that happens

 

[Andresito]

It's important to not be afraid of getting rid of players if there are good offers on the table.

I hope likes of Ansu and Ferran aren't untouchable just because they are Spanish.

We also have loanees returning to take into account: Nico, Dest, Lenglet, Abde and Collado. As usual none of them have set their world on fire.

 

[JamDav1982]

Need to get the right players and play a correct system also.

No point replacing Busi if what Xavi think is needed is a Busi clone to then be put in a midfield with Pedri and Gavi.

That midfield will still have many of same problems face as do every time there is that Busi Pedri Gavi middfield.

Likes of Balde is starting to get rated a bit too highly and a lot to learn.

Amazing when game is open and can use pace but needs to improve big time on the ball. Both when pressured and when teams sit deep and leave little space.

Is Alsono/Alba enough to back him up while still learning? Would you trust these players in a CL game knowing not going to get any better?

 

[serghei]

Squad is decent, but need about 3 starters to compete for CL, and by that time, Lewa is gonna be like 36. So, make that 4.

- rightback
- midfielder
- striker
- left winger

Still, if Madrid don't do anything crazy like getting Mbappe soon, the team is plenty good for competing for a domestic double every season almost, in a neck and neck fight.

So, it really depends on what the aim is.

- competing for domestic titles with good chances to win? -> squad is ok

- getting out from CL group stages and maybe hitting a quarterfinal with a bit of luck? -> squad is ok

- competing on all fronts, including getting far in CL, maybe like semis? -> squad is not ok.

 

[serghei]

Every hit signing we make is gonna massively improve us, especially if it's on the 2-3 currently exposed positions in the first 11. A change in mentality is also needed, complacency and reduced speed and intensity of play are major issues for us. Keeping the ball is not enough if you have a shit tempo. Go for the kill in all games, stopping sitting on 1-0 leads thinking the 3pts are gonna come by default, a team as young as ours should be more hungry by simply having fun of playing the game. They seem in some games that they'd rather take a nap instead of being on the field.

 

[El Gato]

Real can but they have not got to point they see Barca as having to play like that to this point it seems.

Real just banking on Barca eventually getting into a rut like did after international break in March last year. Or injury ridden period like in autumn but without as much luck on defensive end. Which may or may not happen. They like to gamble on things like this and getting self into a deficit to big themselves up as they recover.

Xavi in general has been pretty shit for what has at disposal but started to come round to it. Still a very flawed and very green coach

 

[fergus90]

Barca should monitor Juve's situation and potentially take advantage like Inter did back in the 00's.

Players like Locatelli, Chiesa, Vlahovic etc could potentially be available at cut prices.

 

[JamDav1982]

Barca should monitor Juve's situation and potentially take advantage like Inter did back in the 00's.

Players like Locatelli, Chiesa, Vlahovic etc could potentially be available at cut prices.

Doubt they would be on cut prices.

The market for all 3 would be big and that is what would drive the cost not Juves position.

 

[jamrock]

Can't see juve selling unless they get relegated again, they will keep their core and try to push on next season.

 

[soul24rage]

https://twitter.com/FCBnull/status/1641437063424909313

 

[Total-Football]

To me there are only 2 truly necessary signings. A great RB + a Borozovic to let buskets go (or relegate buskets to the bench)