The Transfers' Discussion Thread | "Sandro, Javi got us a CB yet????"

Capoue and Hummels I like as well.

I've heard a lot of good things about Capoue.

I also would prefer us to buy youngish for that position.

Many great names out there as potential CBs or CB/DMs. On one hand, I don't really understand the CB/DM fascination as we already have two of the world's best DMs on our squad, Busquets and Mascherano (not to mention that Pique and Fontas have played DM in the past, and JDS is learning the position). On the other hand, I understand perfectly that it is a reflection of the multi-talents we are looking for in a CB. We want a CB with great vision, positioning, passing, control, technique not just speed and size, and perhaps someone who can also play in the midfield is more likely to have that diverse skill set.

The other thing any CB (or CB/DM) we sign needs is humility / willingness to share minutes with Puyol, Pique, and Mascherano at 2 positions, or Puyol, Pique, Mascherano, and Busquets at 3 positions. That means lots of time on the pine if we are lucky enough to avoid injuries. Not everyone can deal with that, least of all players we may buy for 25M Euros or more. Seems like Javi might be a good fit there based on his experience with La Furia Roja, or maybe that is a reason he really does not want to come. Hard to say which targets out there will be able to slot in seamlessly, our recent track record of signing CBs is poor as only Pique was signed as a CB at a great price and fit in, Masch and Abidal were signed as DM and LB respectively (Henrique, Chiggy, Caceres all came as CBs at high prices and did not fit in, Milito was costly too, he fit in just was oft-injured).

Capoue seems interesting too, I didn't mention him before because I've hardly seen him play. The few times I saw Toulouse (like a couple years ago) Moussa Sissoko really stood out.

Hummels recently renewed his contract (iirc) so Dortmund probably won't let him go very cheap.

As much as we don't want to talk about this. We need to be planning for the post-Puyol era. And as far as transfers go, we need to be signing/thinking as if Puyi isn't in the squad.

Which means that for the three central defensive positions, we have three proven players (Pique, Masch, Busquets) and three players (Fontas, Bartra, and JDS) who we're hoping can step up. Picking up a more-seasoned player who can cover all three positions makes a lot of sense. Besides, the way we play, all the CBs need to be able to play DM anyway.

There are plenty of minutes to go around (we saw how tight things have gotten the past two seasons).

You're absolutely right given the recent injuries Puyol has suffered and his age that we do need to prep for him no longer being around (and also need to assume no Abidal miraculous return part 2, despite how good he looked in yesterday's photos). However, whomever they sign will be coming onto Puyol's team, Puyol just turned 34, Puyol will play when healthy, especially in big games. Puyol's hero is Maldini who played till he was 41 for Milan (though he retired from Italy NT at 34).

That's why I agree it is critical we not be cheap, get a CB we can rely on in a Clasico, in a CL final or semifial. But at the same time, who ever we sign, even if it was Thiago Silva or Vincent Kompany (just to name a couple who are not available/we cannot afford), needs to be ready to ride some pine if Puyol is healthy, and even post Puyol needs to share minutes with Pique and Masch (and possibly Busquets). Not every top athlete in their prime is ready to do that, at Barca you need to be.

Then you add to that our hopes that Fontas, Bartra, JDS and Muniesa continue to develop (which also takes PT).

Yes and no. You want someone you can count on for the majority of starts, but that does not mean someone you need to depend on for all the big games. Look at Scholes and Giggs. Since they were not required to play in the majority of games they were able to extend their career many more seasons. Puyol I could see playing for another 3-5 years at a high level if he can go down to 10-15 starts a year.

This is true. And we really need to start thinking of Puyol and Xavi as players who should be reserved for the big games rather than just pencilling them in as automatic starters each game.

When thinking about the depth chart and new signings, it's probably best to ignore both of them now and keep the future in mind.

While I get the theory of "play less matches and you can play more years in the top", IMO it's just too wishful thinking that Puyol will play in Barca for 5 more years. That said: his playing time this forthcoming season is a mystery - he is old and has been injury-hit, but then again after all he played 44 matches for us the last season and isn't exactly a goner yet.

Neymar looked great again last night !

That's true, but in the last 3 years Ryan Giggs has been playing anywhere from 10-20 games less than he was doing in his earlier seasons.

In 9 seasons Scholes played 40 or more games. He has no played in 40 games since 2006-07.

Puyol is neither Giggs or Scholes, but if you could limit Puyol to 20 games a year, then one could imagine him being at the top of his game (on a limited basis) for a few more years. Other than in the 2010-11 season, Puyol has played in at least 44 games since 2004-2005. On top of that he had a 46 and 51 game season.

hm did you watch it? He was average at 'best' imo and was resorting to diving in a lot of occasions.

Massive exaggeration to conclude he was average, come on...Far & away the most dangerous player on the pitch for the match...Unfortunately, he had a few dives - one of which was pretty embarrassing...If he can rid that from his game, stay on his feet, get stronger and work hard - well, he'll be phenomenal

Nothing new from Neymar: talented player who needs to cut the diving and prove himself against tougher competition. A friendly against a weak GB isn't a trampoline to football hall of fame no matter how you play.

I want Vasco da Gama's Dede for CB. He is rated as one of the top three players in Brazil. He is nicknamed "O Mito" (The Myth/The Legend). At 6'4, he would give Barcelona added security and threat on set pieces. He is more than athletic enough to cut out the long aerial counter passes. He is one of the most physically impressive players I've seen in a soccer kit. His price is an absolute steal and only a recent nagging injury has kept him out of Brazil camps.

Yep Dede is definitely a good player. But I dunno about him in Barcelona. How much would he cost?

I heard he's valued around 12M

Dedé is a terrific idea, but I suspect that figure will be closer to 20M

Scored one , should have had two , made the other goal with a great pass ..... Brazil didn't need to get out of second gear ..... He stood out from all the others IMHO

Yeah, I say the Brazil game against Britain (drop the Great bit, it's embarassing) and I thought Neymar was nothing more than average (against a truly woeful team), although his diving and play acting was world class. One incident in particular stands out, he was gently (and I mean gently) tapped on the back of his neck by a defender and he went down as is he had been taken out by a sniper and proceded to stay down long after the ref had waived play on. Got to say if we do sign him we are going to have a bigger acter than Ronaldo, Di Maria, Busquets and Alves combined.

Don't know about the great pass bit, he took a free kick which was woefully defended. Look, I'm not denying the kid is super talented, but until he comes to europe and perform at a high level on a consistent basis. I'm not buying into all this "he's already the 2nd best player in the world" rubbish that is being pumped out. I hate Ronaldo but the guy has proven himself at both Man Utd and Real Madrid and I think it is a joke to say that Neymar has already surpassed him.

Oh dear oh dear, not up with our history are we, nothing unusual in that from a English person.

not knowing your own country's violent history of arrogant colonialism is embarrassing.