Nico Williams

[jamrock]

Could work. (Garcia for Ter Stegen though, and not Araujo)
Only problem is Raphihna is abyssmal when it comes to dribbling if he were to play as a false 9.
Hes a speedmerchant for counter attacks, he gets lost in in games we have alot of posession.
His aerial presence is nonexistant aswell.
I dont really want Lamine in middle either, his biggest strenth is on those cut-ins from the side.

I really want Nico to play for us.
He clearly fits the mold and plays VERY well with Lamine.
Hes also quite popular and will sell alot of shirts from a marketing perspective, much more than Raphinha.
If we got a really good striker next year it could be a new "MSN" in marketing.

I think raph will play well at 9, because he isn't the best dribbler from a stand still position.

Playing at 9 is more about movement and being able to separate yourself from the CB with pace, than it is about dribbling and skills.

 

[Haraldinho]

Psg played without pure 9 and it works. Time to try it.

 

[jamrock]

I don't know if this is raphinha's official facebook or some fan account, it does have the official badge.

If you

https://m.facebook.com/rafinhadiasofficial/

........

 

[Horatio]

It's hilarious how people here make out Bilbao are some sort of Leganes level, ultra defensive team in order to explain away his frankly pathetic goal contribution numbers.

I read sergheis post the same way lol.

Yes, Bilbao has least goals against, but also scored a good amount.

 

[Loki]

Why is him being friends with Lamine an upside?

Because chemistry on the field is important as well. MSN played so good was also thanks to the fact that all 3 loved to play with and assisted each other. Obivously it's not the most important part to consider, but still an upside if players tend to assist each other more thanks to friendship instead of putting up an ego show in front of the goal because they don't care about the other players.

 

[Kul_z]

Because chemistry on the field is important as well. MSN played so good was also thanks to the fact that all 3 loved to play with and assisted each other. Obivously it's not the most important part to consider, but still an upside if players tend to assist each other more thanks to friendship instead of putting up an ego show in front of the goal because they don't care about the other players.

Because football is a team sport, and exactly for those reasons you said in clutch moments player x would instinctively assist player y. Because they wont give a fuck who scored as long they are celebrating and having good time

 

[Loki]

Because football is a team sport, and exactly for those reasons you said in clutch moments player x would instinctively assist player y. Because they wont give a fuck who scored as long they are celebrating and having good time

That's true, but only in theory. In reality, you have examples in nearly each game where a player should have given a pass instead, but tried for the glory himself. Being friends increases that chance. Again, let's not blow this out of proportion. I just said it's not the most important thing to consider anyways, just another upside.

 

[jamrock]

Athletic had 54 goals last season in la Liga the least of any team in the top 7.


Villarreal scored 71 goals.

Betis after a poor start to the season that only changed after around January 57 goals.

Celta vigo - 59!!

Athletic - 54.

With all the talent Mister had, he still scored less goals that celta.

They also conceded the least amount of goals in the top 7.

What does all of this tells us? He doesn't play for in any form shape or way, an attacking coach, or regular Middle table LA Liga team.

He plays for the most defensive mid table LA Liga team.

 

[serghei]

What are we talking about? The talent is there, this guy was one of the best players at the last Euro, scored in the final. If you look at the other options, he's the best bet. Don't go crazy spending more on 29 years old Diaz.

There's no two ways about it. We get rid of Fati and we bring this guy, our attack gets a massive boost. Raphinha and Yamal could be rested and rotated much more. Raphinha didn't have injury problems last year, but if he's overplayed again at that level, he's gonna get injured.

 

[Devils]

sign him and Perisic and we have our wings covered for depth.

About as big of an upgrade as you can get over Fati and Pau Victor.

Ideally we would sign a LB and CB this year too, but how much capacity do we actually have? Garcia, Nico and Perisic already improve us massively.

 

[xXKonan]

JUST IN: Even other clubs in the race for Nico Williams are now fully aware that the player is prioritizing Barcelona.
@FabrizioRomano
#Transfers

Other clubs: Arsenal interested, but it’s a complicated deal for them. Same for Bayern, who wants to continue to keep calling Nico — priority target for them. They don’t plan to stop until the race is over. Player, keen and prioritizing Barça.
@FabrizioRomano
#Transfers

 

[Loki]

JUST IN: Even other clubs in the race for Nico Williams are now fully aware that the player is prioritizing Barcelona.
@FabrizioRomano
#Transfers

Other clubs: Arsenal interested, but it’s a complicated deal for them. Same for Bayern, who wants to continue to keep calling Nico — priority target for them. They don’t plan to stop until the race is over. Player, keen and prioritizing Barça.
@FabrizioRomano
#Transfers

This guy pratically begs Barca now to buy him out. How the tables have turned. Let's see what Laporta and Deco will decide. Flick won't object probably.

 

[Nello]

If reports are true, then he’d be a great addition to the squad for a 12m salary.

Biggest downside is it’d officially close the door on Leao, would’ve been amazing to see him run at Trent

 

[ZenI]

sign him and Perisic and we have our wings covered for depth.

About as big of an upgrade as you can get over Fati and Pau Victor.

Ideally we would sign a LB and CB this year too, but how much capacity do we actually have? Garcia, Nico and Perisic already improve us massively.

We really need an LB backup, for real. And even if its a difficult operation I would try to sell Ara and even Christiansen - and than get a solid CB (have no idea who though). Sure, if Yamal and Raphinha are healthy and in form we'd be good on wingers to win a CL - but we sure as hell ain't winning shit with Ara.

 

[Saladin]

We really need an LB backup, for real. And even if its a difficult operation I would try to sell Ara and even Christiansen - and than get a solid CB (have no idea who though). Sure, if Yamal and Raphinha are healthy and in form we'd be good on wingers to win a CL - but we sure as hell ain't winning shit with Ara.

Ideally Martin to PL and Grimaldo to cover LB with Balde - one of Araujo or Christensen out and maybe save up for a 9 next year, preferably Alvarez