How Our 2011-12 Squad Is Shaping Up

I would just like to ask why hasn't your copa america players returned earlier?

Returning on the 8th of August is kind of late especially with the tough games you have ahead.

I don't blame guardiola for saying he needs more time to prepare against us madrid.

Anyway good luck in the next few games

Thiago was a friggin beast. Everyone in the stadium was like, who's that #4? He's good!

Keita had some nice passes, I can see why he used to play cam.
Pedro is in quite bad form i think.

H.A. wrote:I would just like to ask why hasn't your copa america players returned earlier?

Returning on the 8th of August is kind of late especially with the tough games you have ahead.

I don't blame guardiola for saying he needs more time to prepare against us madrid.

Anyway good luck in the next few games

Our players need rest, Messi for example has played 65 games last season.

The xcx wrote:For the look of it, barcelona hasnt really changed from last year to this. They have brought couple of additions still, not sure how well they will perform this season.

Same as last season?? That would be nice...

I am quite relieved that Messi and co have been given a long rest.
Granted it leaves us in poor shape for the Copa and a loss to Stoke is never palatable but this had to be done.
We could have rushed Messi back for the Coap and then risked him getting burnt out midway through the season.
This way he gets a nice vacation and comes back fully energised and motivated for the new season.
Also Xavi clearly needed a rest.The man had been playing non stop for 3 years. So he too got a good 2 month vacation.Granted it leaves him in poor shape ahead of the clash against Stoke but the risk is worth it.
He got a long vacation and is now fully ready for the new season.

Yes, Xavi is looking good. However, yesterday he was just going at 60-65%. Hopefully he remains injury free this season.

I hope Puyol regains his fitness as well. Those two are absolutely crucial for retaining the league.

Mertesacker

Anyone think he could be a good addition?

Far too slow for a high line and is atrocious on the ball, one of the worst top level centerbacks I have seen on the ball for a while.

The Franchise wrote:Far too slow for a high line and is atrocious on the ball, one of the worst top level centerbacks I have seen on the ball for a while.

LOL NORTH KOREA AND REAL MADRID

Was it true that the North Korean footballers were sent to the mines after the world cup?

BarcaKizz wrote:Thiago and Fontas have already made their choices. Thiago will be 4 and Fontas 24. The only instance it would be different is if a new signing wants those numbers or they change their mind now players have left.

Good point. Fontas may want #18 I would guess. I hope Thiago is not attached to #4.

lm, your signature is cool.

Madjid Bougherra? From rangers? The dude is faster then pique and busquets combined, although he does get too involved in the attacking play, sometimes leaving gaps. Xavi poured praise onto him, saying he would fit into barca's style of play.

>>>Barca Squad 2011/2012

>> Full Squad <<

`Goalkeepers (2):
Victor Valdes (Spain) [1]
Jose Manuel Pinto (Spain) [13]

`Defenders (7):
Adriano (Brazil) [21]
Carles Puyol (Spain) [5]
Gerard Pique (Spain) [3]
Eric Abidal (France) [22]
Andreu Fontas (Spain) [24?]
Dani Alves (Brazil) [2]
Maxwell [19]

`Midfielders (6):
Sergio Busquets (Spain) [16]
Javier Mascherano (Argentina) [14]
Seydou Keita (Mali) [15]
Xavi (Spain) [6]
Cesc Fabregas [4]
Andres Iniesta (Spain) [8]
Thiago Alcantara (Spain) [11]
CM & Wing/False "9"?

`Forwards (5):
Lionel Messi (Argentina) [10]
Pedro (Spain) [17]
David Villa (Spain) [7]
Alexis Sanchez (Chile) [9]
Ibrahim Afellay (Netherlands) [20]

Inaddition, to some Reserve ' B team players, who can play for first team next season if needed'

`GK:
- Mino (22)
- Oier (21)

`Defenders:
- S.Gomez (RCB, 19)
- Bartra (RB/RCB, 20)
- Muniesa (LCB/LB, 19)
- Montoya (RB, 20)

`Midfielders:
- JDS (CM/DM, 21)
- Sergi Roberto (CM/CAM, 19)
- Espinosa (CM/CAM, 19)
- Rafinha (CAM/"false 9", 18)

`Forwards:
- Deulofeu (LW/RW, 17)
- Tello (RW/LW, 19)
- Cuenca ( RW, 20)
- Kiko (RW/RB, 20)
- Soriano (CF,25)

Yes khaled. Final strength = 21. We can't help loving small squads.

Thiago to follow RIVALDO's footsteps with No.11 (at least one golden ball)

It is official, Thiago is 11, Fontas 24

Yes I just read that. So since our squad will have 21 players, the numbers missing from an optimum strength of 25 will be 12, 18, 23 and 25.

messixaviesta wrote:Yes I just read that. So since our squad will have 21 players, the numbers missing from an optimum strength of 25 will be 12, 18, 23 and 25.

So the only good number left is 12... saved for Montoya

...and 18 is saved for Roberto.

BarcaKizz wrote:

messixaviesta wrote:Yes I just read that. So since our squad will have 21 players, the numbers missing from an optimum strength of 25 will be 12, 18, 23 and 25.

So the only good number left is 12... saved for Montoya

...and 18 is saved for Roberto.

hopefully both will be promoted in 2012/2013 to replace Maxwell & Kieta!

Sheiks of Malaga, you have more 15 days to buy Keita, or you will not be my second favourite club in La Liga

Now when we signed Cesc Thiago should play more attacking role, "Rivaldo style"
We have more midfielders than ever since 2005. but probably Masche will play more as CB than DM. Pique + Masche is good combination.

Well having drawn with stoke tonight I can honestly say that Fabregas may be more needed than we actually thought. He is pretty much Xavi v 2.0.

Keita cannot play as a DM in Barca for too much longer, he presses good but he is not too comfortable on the ball as say busquets or even machete

shinigami99 wrote:Well having drawn with stoke tonight I can honestly say that Fabregas may be more needed than we actually thought. He is pretty much Xavi v 2.0.

As usual pep does know best. With fabregas you won't get an exact copy though, there's a reason why mole calls him the spanish lampard.

Giggity5313 wrote:
As usual pep does know best. With fabregas you won't get an exact copy though, there's a reason why mole calls him the spanish lampard.

Very true. Fabregas and Thiago are both more attack minded players. Fabregas has at least in the past played deeper and could once again adapt. Thiago for me looks even more unlikely. He is more like a final third player who does not have the maturity at the moment and possibly even the temperament to exercise quiet control in midfield in spite of all his potential.