3 - Alejandro Balde

[Gazzznigga]

Bu bu bu bu BARCAFORUM Told me he was the WORST LB of ALL TIME

Not sure about the ALL TIME part. But it is true many on this forum were thrashing him badly from the beginning of the season. You need to go a few pages back on this thread to see those who had no idea of what he was contributing to the team.

Only a handful of us here pointed it out that he was a key part of Flick's system like Davies was for BM. The lone runner of the entire left flank a+ inverts when required too.

That said, i think the problem is more from the club not building depth and being frivolous with the little funds thay came their way

 

[khaled_a_d]

No one has claimed Martin is better or that Balde was the worst LB out there, maybe some knee jerk reactions post game which every player has.

He was criticised for being the worst player in our starting XI with no one in sight to compete with him. Some argued it is better to get a starting caliber LB than a cheap backup one.

When he picked up his form, the fans gave him his flowers.

 

[jamrock]

No one has claimed Martin is better or that Balde was the worst LB out there, maybe some knee jerk reactions post game which every player has.

He was criticised for being the worst player in our starting XI with no one in sight to compete with him. Some argued it is better to get a starting caliber LB than a cheap backup one.

When he picked up his form, the fans gave him his flowers.

Worse player in our XI is a massive insult TBF.

whether he is or isn't.

Could make a very good argument Mendes is the 2/3 worse player in PSG XI, PSG fans aren't saying that, and he isn't tasked with being there entire Left wing.

What He is for sure though is one of the best young LB In the world, and has been so whenever fit since being promoted, bar a small dip in form either side of a long term injury.

It's him, mendes and that arsenal RB as the 3 best young left back in europe right now.

Fans started to support him when he started to ball well, doesn't change the fact that they were riding his ass and couldn't see the clear potential he has that a FEW of us saw.

 

[JamDav1982]

Balde has been up and down this season but expected to do a lot on the pitch in that role.

A lot of games he has started well and tired to get a bit sloppier as went on.

His best season overall and unfortunate time to get injured.

Still has a lot can improve on to underpin his athleticism to be the best going.

 

[Gazzznigga]

No one has claimed Martin is better or that Balde was the worst LB out there, maybe some knee jerk reactions post game which every player has.

He was criticised for being the worst player in our starting XI with no one in sight to compete with him. Some argued it is better to get a starting caliber LB than a cheap backup one.

When he picked up his form, the fans gave him his flowers.

Lord have mercy!!!
How was Balde the worst in Barca's starting XI even when all were fit??

Is there any one to compete with Kounde? Forth? Or you think Fermin is a good quality to deputise for a perpetually injured Olmo?

 

[brockg777]

As we were saying well ahead of his injury, this guy is the sole reason why our Left side works. He needed rest. Guy plays like a LW holding width most of the game, while also defending. In games where we are being pressed and need to cut through, we will struggle without him.

Against Inter, I think we will do fine, as Inter likes to sit back a bit and counter. But its the CDR final I am worried about. We need Baldes's width and pace to stretch the pitch or else it will be a problem against RMs midfield.

Against Inter as well, as his width makes Raphina more dangerous. We will need to get a couple goals ahead in Motjuic. I might be less worried about the cup due to Madrid's abysmal form.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Lord have mercy!!!
How was Balde the worst in Barca's starting XI even when all were fit??

Is there any one to compete with Kounde? Forth? Or you think Fermin is a good quality to deputise for a perpetually injured Olmo?

The fanbase here loves Fort, at least in 2024 when all those discussions were there.
Kounde is better, feel free to disagree with that, but this has been always the case.

 

[khaled_a_d]

Worse player in our XI is a massive insult TBF.

whether he is or isn't.

Could make a very good argument Mendes is the 2/3 worse player in PSG XI, PSG fans aren't saying that, and he isn't tasked with being there entire Left wing.

What He is for sure though is one of the best young LB In the world, and has been so whenever fit since being promoted, bar a small dip in form either side of a long term injury.

It's him, mendes and that arsenal RB as the 3 best young left back in europe right now.

Fans started to support him when he started to ball well, doesn't change the fact that they were riding his ass and couldn't see the clear potential he has that a FEW of us saw.

If you count Mendes, then you count Gvardiol (same age) and you have Carreras, Udogie, Dorgu etc.

Those are plenty of quality young LB out there. Balde is probably top 3 based on recent performances, but consistency and health are always concerns.

Nothing said about him was insult, he was called out when he was deserved and complimented him when he eraned.

 

[jamrock]

If you count Mendes, then you count Gvardiol (same age) and you have Carreras, Udogie, Dorgu etc.

Those are plenty of quality young LB out there. Balde is probably top 3 based on recent performances, but consistency and health are always concerns.

Nothing said about him was insult, he was called out when he was deserved and complimented him when he eraned.

It's an insult but typical reactionary and hindsight thinking from this place.

 

[Gazzznigga]

The fanbase here loves Fort, at least in 2024 when all those discussions were there.
Kounde is better, feel free to disagree with that, but this has been always the case.

This is 2025, bro!
There is a huge difference between what the fans "love" and what those with professional expertise arrive at after numerous opportunities to evaluate the players. Flick& Co do not rate Fort and that is the only thing that matters in this context.

I do not only disagree, I am awed. Kounde is only better in the heads and eyes of those who "love" players more for their appearance and not those who truly understand the technicals of the game.

Balde contributes far more than Kounde, more important to Flick(as his absence have shown), runs the whole flank by himself and supports the midfield in breaking attacking lines and build up play all alone. Kounde needs a Yamal to thrive. Open your eyes, bro, Kounde is a ticking time bomb!

 

[JamDav1982]

The fanbase here loves Fort, at least in 2024 when all those discussions were there.
Kounde is better, feel free to disagree with that, but this has been always the case.

Not really seen much love for Fort.

Most have been fairly critical of him and last game he played he looked a bit shell shocked and Barca had to switch up to get Cubarsi/FDJ in near him to stop him being targeted by Rayo in the build up.

 

[khaled_a_d]

It's an insult but typical reactionary and hindsight thinking from this place.

Football as entertainment industry is reactionary in nature.
If you expect otherwise, that is your issue, rather than the place.
Balde being criticised back then wasn't anything out of line. The fans criticised Lewa non stop, many has given up on Pedri by last year, Kounde got called out a lot and the list goes on. Balde didn't earn being protected when he is bad, it is that simple.

 

[JamDav1982]

It's an insult but typical reactionary and hindsight thinking from this place.

'This place'.

From the lad who didnt rate Cubarsi, Bernal and Yamal. Let alone 'Kessie is better than FDJ' etc.

 

[jamrock]

Football as entertainment industry is reactionary in nature.
If you expect otherwise, that is your issue, rather than the place.
Balde being criticised back then wasn't anything out of line. The fans criticised Lewa non stop, many has given up on Pedri by last year, Kounde got called out a lot and the list goes on. Balde didn't earn being protected when he is bad, it is that simple.

Yea and all of that was dumb AF.

Nah it's this place issue, it just shows how superior and foresighted I am.

That's like saying killing isn't bad if most people are doing it.

 

[jamrock]

Worse player in our XI, to top 3 young young LB in the world.

Top 5 period.

That's just some dumb reactionary BS TBH