3 - Alejandro Balde

[Barcaman]

Joan Garcia is not worse than three of the GKs in that squad either.

It comes down to how long been in squad and type of player want also.

He isnt the best LB in the world though.

That's a hard position to defend. Spain has some great goalkeepers.

Being part of the squad is a factor. As it should be.

 

[JamDav1982]

That's a hard position to defend. Spain has some great goalkeepers.

Being part of the squad is a factor. As it should be.

Joan Garcia is not 4th on that list.

But at same time from the docs etc they all work hard and get along well and really to suddenly call him up basically as moved to Barca wouldnt be a great look in short term.

Same as the LBs.. I would guess LDF feels like they have served him well and both are different profiles from Balde he may prefer.. better final balls and better in possession.

Nico is an outside threat for Spain and that probably plays a part also on who he wants at LB behind that.

 

[Porque]

The Madrid leftback is not called up neither, nor Joan Garcia.

I imagine DLF is running a policy of not automatically giving call-ups just because of transferring to a big club.

Give it a month or two and both Joan and Madrid lad will be called.

In Joan case, clearly better than Remiro.

 

[Don Juan Laporta Estruch]

DLF doesn't want world class players.

Can't get a game over Cucurella.

Cucu has developed into one of the best left backs in the world and was brilliant last season, so not a bad reflection on Balde at all.

One of the few who left La Masia and went on to do great things. Though it should have been obvious he was a keeper from his loan spells at Eibar, and particularly Getafe.

 

[JamDav1982]

Yeah Real LB will most likely be in soon enough and probably helps him that Huijsen will be the LCB.

 

[khaled_a_d]

NT isn't always about calling the best players, it is why fans get mad about almost every NT coach during any international break/tournament.
In many cases it is about the fit and ideas, and who they trust to perform what they want when given time.
Balde is different style than either Cucu or Grimaldo, who are both far better creator and passer, and both among the best LB in the World. There is no hidden agenda or anything to take about Balde level from that.

 

[vegitot]

There is precisely zero chance he is not being called up due to too many Barca players.

Intl coaches absolutely love a nucleus of players from one squad and familiarity that brings.

There are three players in there that are not starters for Barca when all fit.. he wouldnt be choosin

Agree but i'm sure DLF have to maintain his players relationship as well as puplic view. He can't call up too much players from one team though Spain's success is closely linked to Barca.

If Balde is from different team he would be called up.

 

[Titan98]

NT isn't always about calling the best players, it is why fans get mad about almost every NT coach during any international break/tournament.
In many cases it is about the fit and ideas, and who they trust to perform what they want when given time.
Balde is different style than either Cucu or Grimaldo, who are both far better creator and passer, and both among the best LB in the World. There is no hidden agenda or anything to take about Balde level from that.

It is good that he didnt call him, so he cannot get injured. Cucu is worldclass but not so grimaldo. But different playstyle yes.

 

[JamDav1982]

Agree but i'm sure DLF have to maintain his players relationship as well as puplic view. He can't call up too much players from one team though Spain's success is closely linked to Barca.

If Balde is from different team he would be called up.

It has absolutely nothing to do with why Balde not there.

DLF is calling up Barca players that are not even starters.

 

[draconifire]

I dont know why people are complaining.

If there is one player I want to rest during these breaks its Balde.

Its good for us. He gets to rest. Also could be motivated to perform.

WIN - WIN

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

I dont know why people are complaining.

If there is one player I want to rest during these breaks its Balde.

Its good for us. He gets to rest. Also could be motivated to perform.

WIN - WIN

True. This is better for us.

 

[Gnidrologist]

NT isn't always about calling the best players, it is why fans get mad about almost every NT coach during any international break/tournament.
In many cases it is about the fit and ideas, and who they trust to perform what they want when given time.
Balde is different style than either Cucu or Grimaldo, who are both far better creator and passer, and both among the best LB in the World. There is no hidden agenda or anything to take about Balde level from that.

Good point. Balde is far more useful in flickball than gimball. Slow positional play hampers his abilities. His signature trait is to progress ball forward quickly, sometimes from his own half, to create numerical superiority and blitz attack. He still lacks in final decision making, but seems to get bit better.

 

[jamrock]

Masia can just be proud that Spains 3 best left back all came through its doors.

DLF can choose who he wants, the LB spot isn't broke, so he isn't trying to fix it.

That being said, he will call up the Madrid LB soon enough

 

[MonteCuler]

At least on bench there is no argument Balde can be useful

Most underrated player in this Barca side probably. His injury is what destroyed last season yet people still dont appreciate his qualities

And fullbacks like Balde, Mendes, Davies are more useful these days than those who put up nice crosses

 

[Maradona37]

It's just that he is over hyped, that's all there is to it. Calling him one of the best around but he's not better than fucking Cucurella. Then having the nerve to mention all time greats while forgetting there were like 20 players better than him over the past 30 years.

When there's mention of better players we reverting to his age. I mean, make up your mind already. Either he is world class now, which means he is already good enough to be compared to top fullbacks of the past or he isn't.

Might be getting older but most games bore me now. In fact I prefer watching films to football in recent years. I always loved films but football was my default passion. I still enjoy playing but not so much watching.
i enjoy international tournaments but often they're poor quality (last World Cup was one of the better recent ones). I honestly think it's just because it feels like a festival of football with multiple games per day.