2013-14 'Blue-Print'- Discussion of Transfers, Tactical Changes etc.

Highly niave to blame fatigue, there is clear fundemental problems in terms of how we play.

But at least there is recognition we require at least 3 signings. I would argue 4 but I will take what we are given.

halamadrid2 wrote:somebody to give iniesta some competition maybe that could eliminate his inconsistency. I don't know who would maybe somebody from your b team Rafinha

Most consistent Barca player this season IMO. He even avoided getting injured.

futbol wrote:

halamadrid2 wrote:somebody to give iniesta some competition maybe that could eliminate his inconsistency. I don't know who would maybe somebody from your b team Rafinha

Most consistent Barca player this season IMO. He even avoided getting injured.

Not even close.

The Franchise wrote:
But at least there is recognition we require at least 3 signings. I would argue 4 but I will take what we are given.

dani, for the 4th do you want one more center back, one more forward or some other kind of player?

A new centerback is a must. The squad only has 1 somewhat reliable centerback right now (Pique) which is ridiculous. Puyol is semi-retired. Adriano, Song, Mascherano aren't centerbacks. Never seen such unprofessional squad management at this level tbh. Actually this team needs 2 new centerbacks if we're being honest.

A new world class forward is a must as well. Someone who can make things happen on his own. Someone who can do things like this:



Tired of watching mediocrity like Pedro running around aimlessly and "working hard". 10 goals in his last 2 1/2 seasons in La Liga. Jesus Christ.

messixaviesta wrote:

The Franchise wrote:
But at least there is recognition we require at least 3 signings. I would argue 4 but I will take what we are given.

dani, for the 4th do you want one more center back, one more forward or some other kind of player?

It depends on who the centerback we bring in is and more importantly who leaves.

But if it was me, it would be a leftback.

futbol wrote:Tired of watching mediocrity like Pedro running around aimlessly and "working hard". 10 goals in his last 2 1/2 seasons in La Liga. Jesus Christ.

Wow, I knew he's been shit, but if those stats are right ...

Regarding CB/LB, sign Sakho or Vertonghen and you got 2 in 1 basically.

http://www.sambafoot.com/en/news/46847_barcelona_could_sign_neymar_for_just____25m_-_report.html

Barcelona could clinch the signing of Santos sensation Neymar this summer for a fee of just €25m according to reports in Spain.

El Mundo Deportivo claims that due to Neymar's preference for a move to the Catalan giants, Santos are unable to drive up the price with only one year left on the forward's contract.

This is in stark contrast to Real Madrid's reported intention of lodging a €100m bid for the Seleção star but claims are that a deal is close for Neymar's arrival at Barcelona.

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell is hoping that Neymar will emulate the exploits of compatriot Ronaldinho, now at Atlético Mineiro, in igniting a new era at Barcelona along with Lionel Messi.

If a move arises this summer, football fans could well see Neymar line up alongside the likes of Messi and Andres Iniesta in the Barcelona attack.

Source: El Mundo Deportivo

For €25 million he's a real bargain, I doubt there's any truth to that report though.

Also:

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell is hoping that Neymar will emulate the exploits of compatriot Ronaldinho

Keep dreaming Mr Rosell.

If we keep Alves, one thing we must do next season is never again play him in the "all-wing-is-mine" role we've been playing him recently since Milan game.
It makes no sense to let Alves completely isolated on the right. He receives the ball there and has no one to pass. He is unable to drible anyone except Pastore and too often he ends up making an atrocious cross to nobody in the box.
Alves needs to play as he did before, overlapping the RW and especially making a forward run when the opposition LB has tucked in.

I'm watching Real Sociedad - Granada.
Real is playing incredibly.

Prieto, Chori, Griezman and Vela bossing the midfield, Agirretxe finishing.
I can't understand why we always pass on free transfers. Chori is a very good player and he was available for free two seasons ago, same with Carlos Vela last season. I think they were worth the gamble.

Carlos Martinez is also a good RB, a pity he is too slow for us, but he has technique, agressiveness, good passing and tactical awareness. Not impressed by Iñigo Martinez though.

It seems Barca are pretty set on Ter Stegen, but how would you guys feel about Caballero? He has been very reliable this season, and put in great performances when it mattered the most (vs Dortmund in the CL). While not a long term solution due to his age he has been class for 2 seasons now.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:It seems Barca are pretty set on Ter Stegen, but how would you guys feel about Caballero? He has been very reliable this season, and put in great performances when it mattered the most (vs Dortmund in the CL). While not a long term solution due to his age he has been class for 2 seasons now.

If he comes cheap, I would be very happy to sign him.

It seems everyone will flock out of Malaga if Pellegrini leaves, I can see quite a few players want to leave a club that is not able to make payments to its players and will probably force their way out. I can see him coming for less than $5m.

Willy would be a real cool, on the down-low style purchase. Not a bad idea. But I want Reus!!!!

Ter Stegen One of the best goalkeepers in the Bundesliga IMO and very young... Hopefully he learns Spanish very quickly so that communication will not be a problem...

It looks like the rumors of Tito's bad health have intensified. If they prove to be true, who do you guys want as a replacement?

Someone with common sense (using actual defenders and forwards with dynamism) , ability to make adjustments mid game and isn't a pushover, unafraid to drop anyone.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:It looks like the rumors of Tito's bad health have intensified. If they prove to be true, who do you guys want as a replacement?

What did you read?

From what I''ve heard, most likely replacement is Valverde. Pellegrini and Luis Enrique also likely.

None of those names you mentioned sound promising. If you want your defence to be sorted out, Benítez is a top coach. Personally though I see Wenger and Klopp to be well suited to Barcelona.

No article in specific, it just seems that more and more journalists are touting it as a possibility, compared to a month ago. They talk about Zubi going from responding that "Tito will definitely be here next season" to "we will evaluate the available options in the summer" and just the fact that we get linked to managers is in itself an implicit rumor on Tito's health.

Also danyjr we're not going to fix our defense at the expense of our style. The coach we will pick will definitely have to play the Barca way, which means Valverde, Pellegrini and Bielsa.

I was about to ask, is Bielsa available?

Wouldn't mind him at all.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:It looks like the rumors of Tito's bad health have intensified. If they prove to be true, who do you guys want as a replacement?

Tito badly wanted another season before his work is evaluated and I like almost anyone else here feel he deserves at least that. If his health doesn't permit him then it's very sad.

Since Pep is of course not available there is only one coach in the world today who makes my mouth water and that is Juergen Klopp. Manuel Pellegrini is a decent option but he is supposed to be about to take the ManCity job. As I have said before I am not as excited about Marcelo Bielsa as most here because he seems too eccentric to me and I anticipate problems with him. Ernesto Valverde sounds underwhelming. Jupp Heynckes perhaps if he is interested and can take say a two year deal. Otherwise I'll go for a wild card - Frank De Boer. The Dutch connection has a history of working at Barcelona. Maybe we can even look at Luciano Spalletti. Diego Simeone is one more name coming to mind but he could be too defensive for our liking. Still it's worth a thought if he can adapt to our style. Maybe even Michael Laudrup though it could be too early for him to take up such a major position. Lastly is there anyone internally we can look at. I guess not. Not Jordi Roura of course.

danyjr wrote:None of those names you mentioned sound promising. If you want your defence to be sorted out, Benítez is a top coach. Personally though I see Wenger and Klopp to be well suited to Barcelona.

Benitez.

It's difficult to pick a coach, but I'm ok with those three. Pellegrini is a good defensive coach too.

messixaviesta wrote:

BarrileteCosmico wrote:It looks like the rumors of Tito's bad health have intensified. If they prove to be true, who do you guys want as a replacement?

Tito badly wanted another season before his work is evaluated and I like almost anyone else here feel he deserves at least that. If his health doesn't permit him then it's very sad.

Since Pep is of course not available there is only one coach in the world today who makes my mouth water and that is Juergen Klopp. Manuel Pellegrini is a decent option but he is supposed to be about to take the ManCity job. As I have said before I am not as excited about Marcelo Bielsa as most here because he seems too eccentric to me and I anticipate problems with him. Ernesto Valverde sounds underwhelming. Jupp Heynckes perhaps if he is interested and can take say a two year deal. Otherwise I'll go for a wild card - Frank De Boer. The Dutch connection has a history of working at Barcelona. Maybe we can even look at Luciano Spalletti. Diego Simeone is one more name coming to mind but he could be too defensive for our liking. Still it's worth a thought if he can adapt to our style. Maybe even Michael Laudrup though it could be too early for him to take up such a major position. Lastly is there anyone internally we can look at. I guess not. Not Jordi Roura of course.

Klopp - out of the question, he doesn't share our playing philosophy, doesn't know the club, too defensive, doesn't know the language.
Spalleti and Simeone are also out of the question.
I agree with you on Frank de Boer, could be a good choice.
I also don't like Bielsa, his teams are madly inconsistent and so is he.
For me, Valverde, Luis Enrique, Pellegrini, De boer and Oscar Garcia (ex Juvenil A coach, now champion of Israle with Maccabi Tel Aviv after 10 years) are good options.