Deco

[TheStig]

One thing's for sure. We have enough technical players who are good on the ball, and too few athletes who are very strong physically. We need more of the latter. It will do wonders to our football and our style if we can find at least one physical beast of a defensive profile.

Who are those great technical players in our squad? We have a couple but the technical level of the squad is horrible for Barca's standard. It's mostly Yamal and Pedri, to some level FDJ and Raphinha. You can add Cubarsi and Eric that are good standard for defenders, that's it.

 

[serghei]

We have a fairly solid starting Fullbacks all thibgs considered. Nothing fancy, but likely around top 10 in their positions. We aren't going after a starting LB or RB. Kounde had solid December and might be back to where he was last year. Blade lacks same end product, and dome defensive lapses but still a very solid one considering the market for those positions.

CB is where we need reinforcement(s) badly, either a game changing starting CB, or a solid starting one. The former will do magic to the entire team. One good starting one would still elevate it.

So, for me it depends in the resources we have. We need a starting CB as no1 priority.

After that it is retaining one of Lewa or Rashford, or a cheaper but equally good replacement (some interesting names mentioned by @Porque ) to retain the level of attacking line.

Then a backup fullback, then another backup fullback, then another attacker.

I know CDM is something you really hope for, but I don't see it happening in the near future. The club will look at how Bernal fairs next year at least.

I would say maybe the fullbacks are overly exposed because of lack of proper CBs and no shielding from a DM, because... the closest thing we have of a DM is Eric Garcia.

But the issue is neither is that great. Kounde is so superficial at times, it's quite incredible how relaxed and how casual he can defend. Luckily for us, he tends to be focused in the bigger games, as he's somewhat of a headcase, the good comes with the bad in a single package (not many FBs can score the goal he scored vs Madrid in Cop final for example, but also not many fullbacks can go from shit to great in the span of 1 minute like he does constatly).

Balde on the other hand, the man can't defend. I don't think I've ever seem him carry a game out without some type of defensive fuck-up. Even at his best he's such a poor defender that he'll somehow need to become an incredible offensive beast like a Marcelo to carry that kind of defensive weakness around. Hard to think he can improve that much, especially considering how one-footed he is.

Starting CB is a must for years. But the club has to be prepared, and most importantly able, to spend. You don't land these players on the cheap. You can land some filler defenders for cheap for depth and such, and they will do a decent or even good job comparative to the sum paid for them. Just not the main man in the entire defensive structure. For leadership and quality there, you simply pay top money.

I am worried that, parallel to the finances thing, the club undervalues that and the purely offense-minded manager doesn't help. I hope Deco can step in here. It's his main job if you ask me. He was part of an era that had many top class defenders, mid 00s, and even played with some. He should know just how important that position in the team really is. If he was a big part in the decision-making regarding Joan Garcia, then it is a good sign.

 

[khaled_a_d]

I am worried that, parallel to the finances thing, the club undervalues that and the purely offense-minded manager doesn't help. I hope Deco can step in here. It's his main job if you ask me. He was part of an era that had many top class defenders, mid 00s, and even played with some. He should know just how important that position in the team really is. If he was a big part in the decision-making regarding Joan Garcia, then it is a good sign.

That is a valid concern, Barca historically treated defense as an afterthought.
However, the one thing that gives me glimpses of hope is the J. Garcia deal. the club could have had an out with Tek and MATS but focused on securing a GK.

Who are those great technical players in our squad? We have a couple but the technical level of the squad is horrible for Barca's standard. It's mostly Yamal and Pedri, to some level FDJ and Raphinha. You can add Cubarsi and Eric that are good standard for defenders, that's it.

I agree with that, Barca has a problem technically and even with some of the players that are mentioned.

 

[TheStig]

That is a valid concern, Barca historically treated defense as an afterthought.
However, the one thing that gives me glimpses of hope is the J. Garcia deal. the club could have had an out with Tek and MATS but focused on securing a GK.

I'm sure the Joan transfer only happened because they knew MATS is done and he'd miss at least a half of this season. If MATS was healthy (and rubbish like always) they wouldn't buy Garcia.

I agree with that, Barca has a problem technically and even with some of the players that are mentioned.

Yeah it was a stretch with some of them. Only 2 players are really Barca level in technical aspect and we all know who they are.

 

[serghei]

Who are those great technical players in our squad? We have a couple but the technical level of the squad is horrible for Barca's standard. It's mostly Yamal and Pedri, to some level FDJ and Raphinha. You can add Cubarsi and Eric that are good standard for defenders, that's it.

How many do you want. It's plenty. How do you think we managed to score so much and create so many chances? Flick isn't training some scrubs here, he's training some valuable midfielders and attackers with superior technique. You can take Anthony Gordon's word for it, he just spoke recently he wasn't used to facing players of the technical quality of likes of Pedri.

Our glaring weakness is physicality and competitiveness in duels of pace and strenght vs fittest teams out there from the most physical leagues.

Besides, if we can sign players who are physically strong and technically very gifted, then bring in the 200m and land 2-3 of those. By all means, I would welcome it. But if you can't, prioritize speed and athleticism. At the price point we can afford, we need to land some young players who are fast and can do fine in duels vs some of the most physical teams out there, like EPL sides, Bayern, PSG. We can finesse some of the technical qualities in time. But you can't make a slow player fast, or turn a softer technical midget of a CB into a dominating physical presence in the box.

 

[TheStig]

How many do you want.

All of them, at least 11 like in Pep's time.

We need both athleticism and technique but we can't afford it. With the little money we have we shoud aim to get players with both. Better to get 1 who checks all the boxes and can stay long term than some physical monster that is dumb and not good enough with the ball.

 

[serghei]

All of them, at least 11 like in Pep's time.

We need both athleticism and technique but we can't afford it. With the little money we have we shoud aim to get players with both. Better to get 1 who checks all the boxes and can stay long term than some physical monster that is dumb and not good enough with the ball.

Technical quality is plenty good for solid players. It may not be exquisite in most cases, but it's enough to get the job done and reap the other benefits. Raphinha is not some technical wonder to look at either if you ask me, makes plenty of heavy touches.

PSG signed 26 years old Fabian Ruiz for a bit over 20m. That's the type of deals we need. We have Pedri who are mostly technique and quite weak and skinny. I want 2-3 more athletes personally. Raphinha's missing and the entire aggression and intensity of the team is almost cut in half. You should not depend on one player in these types of key parameters.

 

[khaled_a_d]

How many do you want. It's plenty. How do you think we managed to score so much and create so many chances?

It is a problem once we are pressed, we lack players to get out of tight spaces tbf beside Pedri and Lamine and to lesser extent Frenkie.

Defense specifically is an issue here, even Cubarsi isn't that good once he is pressed, he is good in making it someone's else problem rather than getting it to someone who can start something, nor he can get out of pressing himself. Balde can make a solo run but it is rare he does something with it.

However, it is a problem if our aim is a treble, and we aren't there yet by any stretch.

All of them, at least 11 like in Pep's time.

This time isn't coming back. It was the peak of the club and even during the time we know it wasn't sustainable.

 

[serghei]

It is a problem once we are pressed, we lack players to get out of tight spaces tbf beside Pedri and Lamine and to lesser extent Frenkie.

Defense specifically is an issue here, even Cubarsi isn't that good once he is pressed, he is good in making it someone's else problem rather than getting it to someone who can start something, nor he can get out of pressing himself. Balde can make a solo run but it is rare he does something with it.

However, it is a problem if our aim is a treble, and we aren't there yet by any stretch.


This time isn't coming back. It was the peak of the club and even during the time we know it wasn't sustainable.

That's also because of some lack of speed. Technique is sufficient but you need a lot of quickness and some robustness to be able to receive with marking down your neck. Shield the ball, and play through the press.

We can play through Raphinha under press even though technically he is really not special. But he can get there under marking because he is fast, strong, and his off the ball work is damn near impeccable. When he approaches the ball it doesn't matter if he is pressed or not, he plants a foot to keep the opponent at bay, he won't be pushed aside and will play through the pressure even with a not great first touch.

In my opinion we have too few players like that. Ferran is soft, Pedri is soft, Lamine is soft also, Lewandowski is damn old, Olmo is soft, De Jong is average ahtleticism. Fermin would help also, but his touch is as average as it gets.

 

[TheStig]

This time isn't coming back. It was the peak of the club and even during the time we know it wasn't sustainable.

Of course but that what we should aim for. Getting some physical monsters without technique won't solve anything.

Technical quality is plenty good for solid players. It may not be exquisite in most cases, but it's enough to get the job done and reap the other benefits. Raphinha is not some technical wonder to look at either if you ask me, makes plenty of heavy touches.

PSG signed 26 years old Fabian Ruiz for a bit over 20m. That's the type of deals we need. We have Pedri who are mostly technique and quite weak and skinny. I want 2-3 more athletes personally. Raphinha's missing and the entire aggression and intensity of the team is almost cut in half. You should not depend on one player in these types of key parameters.

Physical power alone won't solve anything, Araujo is the perfect example. We have to aim for both athleticism and technique but we prefer to blow our limited funds on guys like Olmo, Roque and Rashford who have neither.

 

[serghei]

Of course but that what we should aim for. Getting some physical monsters without technique won't solve anything.



Physical power alone won't solve anything, Araujo is the perfect example. We have to aim for both athleticism and technique but we prefer to blow our limited funds on guys like Olmo, Roque and Rashford who have neither.

Araujo is a bum. I'm not talking about bums here, I'm talking about solid players. For top players playing at a high level, they have to be at least competent technically.

I'm not saying we should look at fecking Alaves and pick one of their big men just because he has power. Far from it.

 

[khaled_a_d]

In my opinion we have too few players like that. Ferran is soft, Pedri is soft, Lamine is soft also, Lewandowski is damn old, Olmo is soft, De Jong is average ahtleticism. Fermin would help also, but his touch is as average as it gets.

Soft is a nice term by casuals, but it really describes nothing.

Niether Ferran nor Pedri lack speed, athletic ability or strength. Other than Lewa, Barca is a fairly athletic. We are also fairly physical team.

Raphinha is a physical demon, but there are few of those in any big teams. Maybe CB is again where we lack physicality, mainly due to Araujo's decline, and the way the game moved to prioritiseing height and strength.

Look ar Chelsea fullbacks against us, Cucurella and Gusto aren't superior to what we have physically, but are more technical.

Sure, there are room for improvement there, but the same and more can be said about our technical abilities.

 

[TheStig]

I know it's a different era but this team is much stronger and bigger than Pep's Barca. If you compare players in every position only Abidal and Pique were stronger/bigger than Balde/Cubarsi, in all the other positions we have bigger and stronger players now than then. The problem is pure football technique in every departement.

 

[Temptation]

I know it's a different era but this team is much stronger and bigger than Pep's Barca. If you compare players in every position only Abidal and Pique were stronger/bigger than Balde/Cubarsi, in all the other positions we have bigger and stronger players now than then. The problem is pure football technique in every departement.

Not really.

Valdes Garcia - Valdes
Abidal Balde - Abidal
Puyol Garcia - Puyol
Pique Cubarsi - Pique
Alves Kounde - Kounde
Busquets FDJ - Busquets
Xavi Pedri - Xavi
Iniesta Olmo - Iniesta
Messi Yamal - Messi
Pedro Raphinha - Raphinha
Villa Lewandowski - Lewandowski

Most of Pep's players were stronger and/or bigger physically.

 

[serghei]

Soft is a nice term by casuals, but it really describes nothing.

Niether Ferran nor Pedri lack speed, athletic ability or strength. Other than Lewa, Barca is a fairly athletic. We are also fairly physical team.

Raphinha is a physical demon, but there are few of those in any big teams. Maybe CB is again where we lack physicality, mainly due to Araujo's decline, and the way the game moved to prioritiseing height and strength.

Look ar Chelsea fullbacks against us, Cucurella and Gusto aren't superior to what we have physically, but are more technical.

Sure, there are room for improvement there, but the same and more can be said about our technical abilities.

They do in my book. Raphinha is a physical demon by comparison with the other players we have, most of which are substandard in terms of physicality. In an EPL side he wouldn't be such a standout physically.

Ferran and Pedri absolutely lack pace and intensity.