8 - Pedri

[serghei]

Pass to Raphinha was amazing. There was not a big window for this. The window opened and stood open for max 1-2 seconds, and Pedri needled that pass through at the right time. One fraction of a second later with the timing of pass and the run and there is no goal. Rapha drifts offside or AM players close the gap.

 

[serghei]

We need to find a way to add a DM-type in this midfield and allow Pedri freedom. This means finding the right midfielder. Someone who can contribute physically and be the opposite of a slouch in defense, but also someone who can move up and do fine in more attacking positions when Pedri stays deeper.

 

[serghei]

Somewhat of a young Arturo Vidal type would be a good fit.

 

[jamrock]

You either need a top tier player like rodri or zubi who is rodri light, basically what we hope bernal will develop into


or a physical, high energy DM with good passing.

Someone who can actually defend

 

[JamDav1982]

Zubi is nowhere near Rodri and is not better than Frenkie defensively either.

Barely has to defend at Arsenal with team have.

Was also bullied by ten man Chelsea last week and could barely get on the ball.

The amount of awful shouts about how and where likes of Pedri should play.

Another one.

 

[jamrock]

Sergio got some to believe is type is the only one that can excel at Barca, but in our must recent history we've had DMs like

Yaya
Edmilaon
Motta
Marquez*
Players like van bommel.

We need that in our midfield. Which is where gavi comes into play, but that's another 12+ months away. If he ever recovers

 

[Titan98]

We don’t need improvements in midfield. We need CB and maybe a striker. This would be money wasting. Nearly every year a talent from la masia arrives.

 

[JamDav1982]

Gavi is absolutely nothing like any of those players.

Always extending the time line on when Gavi will do anything of note.

The best ever verison of Gavi wouldnt close to starting if all fit at current Barca is the reality.

 

[Windhook]

For the time being forget Gavi.

He's not returning until Sept 2026.

 

[jamrock]

GK
LF
ST
CB
DM
FB

I think this is the position I said should be improved last summer and the club did just that.

The list remains this summer, in that order.

 

[JamDav1982]

On Zubi.

Think that is the third game in a row he doesnt make a tackle... didnt make one v Bayern or Chelsea nor tonight dont think.

Dream position for a player to play DM in that Arsenal set up with how little have to do defensively and Rice there.

Laugh emoji below if been educated once again.

 

[serghei]

Arsenal also have Rice. They have a physical team all around on every position almost.

 

[JamDav1982]

Arsenal also have Rice. They have a physical team all around on every position almost.

Exactly.

Zubi doesnt have to do a whole lot to get ball forward either.

There to keep it ticking over but he is not some top defensive player or progressor of the ball.

 

[jamrock]

The midfield needs more dynamism, anyone who doesn't see this is blind.

When Pedri is by far your post dynamic player, who is capable of covering the most round, you have a problem.

Look at PSG, they are physical monsters in midfield, but they won't get out muscled and are highly dynamic.

 

[serghei]

The difficult player to judge in our midfield is De Jong. Neither De Jong nor Pedri is defensively good enough off the ball in a way to make them transform the team. It's unfortunate, but that's how I see it. Midfield functions well on the ball, but not so well off it.

But I do not exclude that, if you add 3-4 better more physical players around them, în the form of a new backline, a stronger box to box midfielder instead of Olmo who's actually too similar in profile to Pedri for my liking, De Jong and Pedri could function great together and dominate even against elite competition.

It's hard to judge this pair when we play with several players around them who are not Barca material.