8 - Pedri
- Thread starter FC433
- Start date
I'm sorry, I agree with your take (even the wild Luuk De Jong one), but I think we will only be able to get one MAYBE two of those that you asked.
Here would be my personal takes:
ST: Marc Guiu, as Chelsea are assembling a Strasbourg-esque young team, he will likely be pushed out to the edge of the main first team as they will be looking for an already prolific striker. Guiu on a 2-year long loan with an option to buy would be interesting, as he could be mentored by Lewandowski, but as he is already on a buffed(ish) contract salary (he is in a club with a much better financial state than us + its the fckin premeir league), his contract demands might be a little out of reach but probably not. Would be interesting to see Guiu back on loan, because imo he def clears Victor (victor also has rumors of leaving).
CB: Obviously Tah, but Ousmane Diomande from Sporting is very gifted, i'm not sure what his release clause is, but he is only 21.
GK: Who tf else, Joan Garcia, 25 mil release clause. Laporta should just take out the checkbook already, would lowkey be interesting to see how Sommer does after his heroics, or even De Gea,
Maradona37
Well-known member
He's a genius of a player, he really is. I know he isn't from La Masia, but he might as well be as he fits right in. Think he could have fit in in that GOAT Barca squad Pep had. Hopefully he has no more troubles and is even better when he reaches his peak - he's only 22 still.
What I love most about the guy is he's always scanning, like Xavi did, like Iniesta did, like Scholes, Pirlo, Modric, Kroos, Matthaus, all the best midfielders do. They seemingly have eyes in the back of their heads and are acutely aware of their surroundings, which is why they're able to find space so much and why they're able to evade challenges and come out with the ball (allied to technique). It's one of the most difficult things to have in the game - that spatial awareness. Xavi was an absolute master of it.
What I love most about the guy is he's always scanning, like Xavi did, like Iniesta did, like Scholes, Pirlo, Modric, Kroos, Matthaus, all the best midfielders do. They seemingly have eyes in the back of their heads and are acutely aware of their surroundings, which is why they're able to find space so much and why they're able to evade challenges and come out with the ball (allied to technique). It's one of the most difficult things to have in the game - that spatial awareness. Xavi was an absolute master of it.
Messi983
Senior Member
When you know, you know.
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Well-known member
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Well-known member
yeah yeah
Koeman found and developed him
Xavi developed him further
Hansi made him to the no. 1 !!!
serghei
Senior Member
To continue the discussion, beyond some signings in defense, we need to find ourselves a true DM instead of De Jong, and joggle with De Jong, Olmo, Pedri for 2 out of 3 positions. That's one way.
One of Olmo and Gavi could go to fund a DM if we have some good targets. Would need to be done I think to fix the problems in defense if this is a priority. Or we can focus on outscoring the opposition again... and just improve defensively by not so much. That is an option also, because we missed a CL final with this defensive problems by a hair.
We have several options to go at it, depending on what we want.
One of Olmo and Gavi could go to fund a DM if we have some good targets. Would need to be done I think to fix the problems in defense if this is a priority. Or we can focus on outscoring the opposition again... and just improve defensively by not so much. That is an option also, because we missed a CL final with this defensive problems by a hair.
We have several options to go at it, depending on what we want.
BerkeleyBernie
Senior Member
Wow, not my perception of Pedri at all. It's the most important quality he lacks. I've made a point of watching him in isolation for a few games and he almost *never* scans when he doesn't have the ball. He's always running laterally to the ball, demanding it, and ball watching. He only scans just before receiving the ball but only to make sure no one is closing him down. He doesn't know where any of his teammates are if they are behind his field of vision.
Once he has the ball, it's a different story. But it always takes him a beat to orient himself once he's received it. Wish he were in the same class as the players you mention, but he's nowhere close yet.
What I have noticed, however, is the FdJ has vastly improved in this regard. I've also made a point of watching him in isolation. Since being reintegrated into Flick's team, he's always scanning when he doesn't have the ball and playing with his head up. Used to be a much more self-absorbed player that slowed the offense down. I didn't rate him then. Kudos to him for this great improvement.
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Windhook
Well-known member
Flick will not sacrifice this pivot/libero role for a defensive tank like Patrick Vieira was, the kind that is outdated and Real Madrid still kept buying.
Think of Joshua Kimmich. Frenkie/Casado are his profiles and they fit total football. The reason Yaya Toure never made it at FC Barcelona.
serghei
Senior Member
That's the issue though. We don't need a defensive tank just someone that is stronger physically and also a good passer. Reality is De Jong is not a DM, he is a CM.
We knew this for some time, and kept hoping he miraculously will hold the midfield defensivelly, but he's in reality someone that will easily associate and pair well with a top DM or box to box type player with solid defensive coverage. So will Pedri.
You say Kimmich, but Kimmich didn't have 2 Thiagos next to him. Just one, and a strong Goretska. Let's say De Jong is Kimmich. And Pedri is Thiago Alcantara. We need to find ourselves a strong DM-CM that can help defensively much more than Olmo, while also adding some goals. Rakitic was a bit like that. Arthuro Vidal in his younger days was a strong box to box also. Xabi Alonso also like that.
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