Baptista

[Shibby13]

I've heard mutiple sources saying we could be getting him and cash from Real for Reyes. Has anyone seen him play this year? I know he seemed like he was quality last summer when we were trying to get him but haven't heard much from him this year. Any thoughts?

[gunner0007]

Luxembourg kinda screwed it up for him as he played him on the wing. Of course he was shite in that position but then they put him as striker. He was 'ok' as striker but toward the last couple of games he started to get int 'the groove'. Its really hard to tell with Baptista how good he really is as of last season because he didnt play consistently.

I've heard mutiple sources saying we could be getting him and cash from Real for Reyes. Has anyone seen him play this year? I know he seemed like he was quality last summer when we were trying to get him but haven't heard much from him this year. Any thoughts?

[Catfish]

Luxembourg kinda screwed it up for him as he played him on the wing. Of course he was shite in that position but then they put him as striker. He was 'ok' as striker but toward the last couple of games he started to get int 'the groove'. Its really hard to tell with Baptista how good he really is as of last season because he didnt play consistently.
I agree, that he got better as the season went on. But according to him and Real Madrid, he is the best shape ever. He trimmed down during the offseason. I still see him as a midfielder, not striker or winger. Maybe he is the replacment for Gilberto? Who knows.

[GoonerMan]

I agree, that he got better as the season went on. But according to him and Real Madrid, he is the best shape ever. He trimmed down during the offseason. I still see him as a midfielder, not striker or winger. Maybe he is the replacment for Gilberto? Who knows.

id like him to playh there but his tackling has been terrible and hes better as a striker. if he had the adaptability to change and become more defensively adept then id snap him up. he'd certainly add the steele we need in the centre of the park

[Przybylinski]

I'd trade Reyes for Baptista and a bottle of odor spay to get the stench out of the locker room after he goes.

[Sheed]

Baptista's best position is striker. The fact that he scored 50 goals in two seasons for Sevilla says all.

[gunner0007]

Exactly, thats why i can figure out why we would want him. I really dont think Wenger's going for him.

Baptista's best position is striker. The fact that he scored 50 goals in two seasons for Sevilla says all.

[Madrid_1902]

Baptista's best position is striker. The fact that he scored 50 goals in two seasons for Sevilla says all.






He actually played attacking midfield for Sevilla. He was a central part of Sevilla's traditional style of counter attack football. Real Madrid played him as a striker in a few games last season, including one that I was at, and I must say he was poor in that position. I looked at his off the ball movement quite a lot and he is like a headless chicken. He isn't the best at creating space for himself. Baptista is a player who loves to pick up the ball from deep and run at defences. As Real Madrid and Arsenal are giant clubs the little clubs will try their hardest to suffocate the space for them to run into. If you play Baptista as a striker it's like having 10 players. His first touch isn't anything special either, so when defenses get tight on him he tends to lose the ball quite frequently. By the end of the season he was playing the attacking midfield position or the attacking player in the pivot. He was arguablly our best player in the latter stages of La Liga. His end season form has spilled into pre-season and he continues to impress. Impress everyone except Capello (apparantly). Some people are saying that Madrid are prepared to offer Baptista but Arsenal just want cash for JAR.

[ibby]

Exactly, thats why i can figure out why we would want him. I really dont think Wenger's going for him.

Agreed, he isn't a "Wenger" type of player but he would add steel

[ports485]

I still see him as a midfielder, not striker or winger. Maybe he is the replacment for Gilberto? Who knows.

If you "see" him as a midfielder, then you definitely haven't seen him. He's an average to poor tackler and his passing is sketchy.

His best attributes are his colossal body strength (more for holding off defenders than winning balls), shot, and strength in the air.

Putting him anywhere other than striker is a complete waste of his talents.

[ports485]

He actually played attacking midfield for Sevilla. He was a central part of Sevilla's traditional style of counter attack football.

He didn't play as an attacking midfielder there, he played as a support striker. There IS a difference. He played the Bergkamp role rather than the Fabregas role, if that makes any sense. Partnering Baptista with Fabregas in the center of a 4-4-2 would be a joke. Partnering Baptista with Henry up front to draw a lot of attention and bruise up defenders would be a decent idea.

[rossgreen]

Agreed, he isn't a "Wenger" type of player but he would add steel

Is that because he isn't French?

[Madrid_1902]

He didn't play as an attacking midfielder there, he played as a support striker. There IS a difference. He played the Bergkamp role rather than the Fabregas role, if that makes any sense. Partnering Baptista with Fabregas in the center of a 4-4-2 would be a joke. Partnering Baptista with Henry up front to draw a lot of attention and bruise up defenders would be a decent idea.




In Spain he was always considered an attacking midfielder. When he was so desperatley out of form everyone was calling him to be moved back to AM. If you play him as a striker you will see what a bad move it is. When we call him an AM, I'm pretty sure it's what you think he is..

-----------Ronaldo-------------
Robinho----Baptista----Beckham

That's where he was playing for us and was most successful.

I never suggseted playing him beside Cesc because he is not a good defender. In fact he was a horrendous DM when he played for Sao Paulo. I don't want to get too involved with your formation but if he is signed then this is how I would play (assuming Baptista would be first choice)

-------------Henry-------------
???--------Baptista--------?????
------Gilberto------Cesc--------

[ibby]

Is that because he isn't French?

LMAO...

partly, also because he isn't african and is cheap

[Realwood]

--------------------------Henry-------------
Rosicky/Ljungberg--------Baptista--------Hleb/RvP
-------------------Gilberto------Cesc--------

That is perfect for European games and tough EPL away games. It won't happen though, we'll take the cash and put in the mattress.

[Shibby13]

Yea I don't really see a need for him since we have RVP I'd rather replace Reyes with a player like Guti or another winger type for cover in Ljungberg or someone else goes down. I liked the Ribery idea but that appears to be falling apart.

[Realwood]

Guti is trash, Wenger didn't want him last year and he won't this year. All indications point towards Guti going to Atletico Madrid.

I still think we need a winger, the list Rick B put together for me was kind of disturbing. Not replacing Reyes is a huge mistake.

[Shen-O]

I can't see Guti accepting a move to Athletico. He's Real through and through. He could've left years ago if he wanted to, but he's rode the bench for the last 10 years simply because he's a Madridista.

[Shibby13]

I said Guti just to throw out a name I highly doubt we'll get him I haven't seen his name mentioned anywhere. I just feel as though we would need a another winger if Reyes left. RVP did look like he could play winger well in the World Cup though so maybe that would work out.

[Postman is a Prophet]

yeah I think Wenger will "put the money under the mattress" as someone said-

-but this ISN'T A BAD THING! Instead of rushing and wasting all that dough on one player, i bet this 23 million will buy several talented younger players, or even maybe an experienced player w/o all the baggage (see: Ribery).