3 - Alejandro Balde

[khaled_a_d]

Balde is a good player that comes through the academy to bolster the club and even the 11.

The issue isn't really that he is not at the level but more that both fullbacks are not at the level offensively.

A bit deeper and the bigger issue is that he got a bit of hype, was tied to Mendes and now has his leverage to get a contract higher than his actual value. Like Ansu. This is the cancer from without.

Having all your talents under a super agent is an issue we have right now. Mendes is better than Raiola was, but you can't let one Porkchop monopolize the menu.

But yeah, issue is that the salary cap ammassed on Balde and Kounde are way to high for what they offer.

When Kounde is better at both ends, while being healthier, it is difficult to say it is a problem for both fullbacks. One is clearly inferior to the other.


I agree regarding Mendes, although Gavi (De La Pena), Pedri (LEADERBROCK), Bernal (CMG), Casado (Wasserman), Fort (AC talents) & Cubarsi aren't his clients.

He has 4 young players we are connected to:
Nico who isn't here, and he has done a decent job marketing him.
Fati who is done as an elite footballer, sadly.
Balde & Lamine. Essentially, those are the only 2 important guy for us that are hus clients.

Balde has 3 more years left in his contract, at the moment he has no leverage in contract. I don't know if he is overpaid or not tbh. He might be, due to renewing at the right time.

 

[Porque]

When Kounde is better at both ends, while being healthier, it is difficult to say it is a problem for both fullbacks. One is clearly inferior to the other.


I agree regarding Mendes, although Gavi (De La Pena), Pedri (LEADERBROCK), Bernal (CMG), Casado (Wasserman), Fort (AC talents) & Cubarsi aren't his clients.

He has 4 young players we are connected to:
Nico who isn't here, and he has done a decent job marketing him.
Fati who is done as an elite footballer, sadly.
Balde & Lamine. Essentially, those are the only 2 important guy for us that are hus clients.

Balde has 3 more years left in his contract, at the moment he has no leverage in contract. I don't know if he is overpaid or not tbh. He might be, due to renewing at the right time.

He has that 12 year old too, so possibly a number between his age and the B team.

 

[ZenI]

He is far from what we could consider Barca quality, has some alright games mixed with some terrible ones - not even Adriano level tbh. We sure as hell need a new starting LB, no doubt about it - Balde will never grow into that. But we'll have to live with him until the summer (at least - we might never reach 1:1 )...

 

[serghei]

He can play better imo. He's a bit off form but can improve his performances in the next season.

 

[ZenI]

He can play better imo. He's a bit off form but can improve his performances in the next season.

Man I'm not sure anymore. I used to think that, but he can't even string together a month of alright performances - that's why I'm starting to think he can't be our nr. 1 LB, backup/rotation is his maximum level.

 

[MontenegrinCuler]

He's 20 years old and there is plenty of room for improvement

In future I do believe he could grow into a good starting left back for us but right now he needs competition in the form of a more experienced player that he would learn from

However, if you ask me, the right side is much bigger of a problem. Kounde is a great player but doesn't seem to fit the position nor the role they have given him under Flick.

 

[jamrock]

You'd think he'd 27 years old and should be in his prime.

Fans here look to talk about Madrid and Bayern when bring up out current situation, in those two games he was Class.

Give the young man a break

 

[DonAK]

Nuno Mendes want to leave PSG.
French media said PSG might look at Balde to replace him in the summer.

Would you trade Balde for Nuno Mendes?

 

[khaled_a_d]

Nuno Mendes want to leave PSG.
French media said PSG might look at Balde to replace him in the summer.

Would you trade Balde for Nuno Mendes?

It is worth considering tbh. Mendes is the better player, but he is even more injury prone.
Lucho loves Balde, Mendes fits Hansi

 

[jamrock]

I eouldn

Nuno Mendes want to leave PSG.
French media said PSG might look at Balde to replace him in the summer.

Would you trade Balde for Nuno Mendes?

I wouldn't be against that trade if mendes arrives on a free or cheap since his contract his running down.

He's further long his development curve than balde at the moment.

Sell balde for X and get mendes for much less is good business.

But on a personal level, I would keep balde and let him develop.

 

[jamrock]

Good game young man

 

[Barcaman]

Some players do not progress. Balde is one of them. Extremely limited on the ball and upfront and liability at the back.

 

[Birdy]

Currently, we have BOTH fullbacks being totally unable to handle the ball when attacking.

This lad in particular is totally frustrating in being unable to play simple diagonal SHORT passes to free people around him. He hesitates and back-passes to the keeper...
ALWAYS

So damn frustrating to watch
At least he is better than Kounde at defending. The latter is only posing as good defender

PS: Long story short,
we need BOTH RB and LB cover signings in the winter/summer, with attacking qualities

 

[FCBarca]

I have the impression he has been coached to ensure he receives the ball securely before attempting to drive forward or avoid being closed down. Yet, nearly every time he received the ball he effectively froze – unable to beat his marker 1v1 along touch line or cutting in as inverted FBs are taught to at La Masia.

Not a great dribbler but has good burst to break away from tight marking yet is often making incorrect decisions. Martin, on the other hand, dribbled out of pressure just about every time he was closed down on the touch line

 

[Messi983]

Nuno Mendes want to leave PSG.
French media said PSG might look at Balde to replace him in the summer.

Would you trade Balde for Nuno Mendes?

No. What exactly would we benefit from that trade? We need someone to compete with Balde not replace him. I like Mendes and he is clearly is a more developed/productive player but he has missed double the games than Balde over last 2+ seasons. And when he would inevitably get injured we would have to play Martin again.

I think we have other more urgent needs than replacing Balde. But sure we should bring an upgrade over Martin (who I don't think is as bad as people think but at the same time also think he shouldn't stay beyond this season) who can challenge Balde. Maybe even Valle can do that (though not speaking well for him when he can't even start for Celtic). There are surely cheap and somewhat proven/experienced players we can bring for that role.