The New Summer Transfer Market

elchico · Jul 20, 2006

Re: Barca Snatch Thuram And Zambrotta

It's 99% done:
http://www.sport.es/default.asp?idpublicacio_PK=44&idioma=CAS&idnoticia_PK=323763&idseccio_PK=803&h=

Wow, i'm giddy with excitement Turns out we can still pull a trick or two even without Rosell

WhiteBlood · Jul 20, 2006

Re: Barca Snatch Thuram And Zambrotta

wow, congrats guys on zamby, amazing signing for any side..
too bad it wasnt madrid anyway..

LN - Dougg · Jul 20, 2006

Re: Barca Snatch Thuram And Zambrotta

What? We got the upper hand on Real Madrid and Chelsea again? Of course... Excellent news!

So how will our back line look now? Who starts over whom?

acmilan_barcelona · Jul 20, 2006

Re: Barca Snatch Thuram And Zambrotta

elchico said:

It's 99% done:
http://www.sport.es/default.asp?idpublicacio_PK=44&idioma=CAS&idnoticia_PK=323763&idseccio_PK=803&h=

Wow, i'm giddy with excitement Turns out we can still pull a trick or two even without Rosell
Click to expand...

This will be a great catch for us, i understand RM are on course to sign Emerson and Cannavaro. The addition of Thuram and Zambrotta will help our defence alot especially given that Ole struggled alot when ever he was played as a stopper.

The way i see it, Zambrotta might be our starting right full back while Belleti and Ole will be used as cover.

As for Thuram, the past seasons he has hated playing right full back but i know he will help us a lot across the defence line. Our midfield is good to me, good news that Edmilson is nearing a return to full fitness.

Some one mentioned Krkic, watch out for this kid, a definate sharp shooter in the making and i hope Frank uses him in a few matches this season.

I feel good about our summer signings and i believe we will be ready for europe once again.

Lucho-the-Legend · Jul 20, 2006

Re: Barca Snatch Thuram And Zambrotta

LN - Dougg said:

What? We got the upper hand on Real Madrid and Chelsea again? Of course... Excellent news!

So how will our back line look now? Who starts over whom?
Click to expand...

Zambrotta - Puyol - Marquez - Gio/Sylvinho

Edmilson

mikeb3142 · Jul 20, 2006

Re: Barca Snatch Thuram And Zambrotta

Lucho-the-Legend said:

Zambrotta - Puyol - Marquez - Gio/Sylvinho

Edmilson
Click to expand...

We may start that way, but I bet we move to:

Zambrotta - Puyol - Thuram - Gio/Sylvinho

---------------Marquez -----------------

Thuram is a very good cb. I think he plays that role better than Edmilson plays the holding midfielder role.

FORMAL · Jul 20, 2006

assume rikjaard's depth chart will be his...(obviously most def and mid players can cover 2 or 3 positions, but for excitements sake...)

zambrotta/belleti puyol/ole marques/thuram gio/sylvinho
edmilson/motta
xavi/iniesta
deco/vanbommel
messi/guily ronaldinho/ezquerro
eto'o/gudjohnsen

but i'd like to see this as a our starters...

zambrotta puyol marques sylvinho
xavi
iniesta deco
messi ronaldinho
eto'o

.:going to be an exciting season, great to have more pairity in la liga this year, hoping madrid can clinch a midfielder to replace zidane and a striker to compete with barca's best lineup to date. also looking forward to seeing sergio aguerro and pires in the league.

Leon12 · Jul 20, 2006

I'm another who is really looking forward to seeing Sergio Aguero playing in La Liga. Just hope not to much pressure is put on him in his first season, after all he is only 18. And of course I'm looking forward to seeing Messi back in action.

Barca have a very strong squad, I can see them doing the League/CL double again in the coming season.

Greddy · Jul 20, 2006

Re: Barca Snatch Thuram And Zambrotta

mikeb3142 said:

We may start that way, but I bet we move to:

Zambrotta - Puyol - Thuram - Gio/Sylvinho

---------------Marquez -----------------

Thuram is a very good cb. I think he plays that role better than Edmilson plays the holding midfielder role.
Click to expand...

I can't see that happening, as it would take away some of the depth we get with this move. Mind you, I would probably be happy if I found out we were doing this. It is my belief that we played our best, most attractive, and most effective football when we had a talented defensive midfielder to make things easier for the attack. Marquez played extremely well there.

That said, I really don't want to be counting on a 34y/o in central defense for any prolonged period of time. Personally, I think we got Thuram to give the starters rest (without having to rely on Ole anymore), and as coverage in case of injury. I think that is a role for which he is perfect.

acmilan_barcelona · Jul 20, 2006

Re: Barca Snatch Thuram And Zambrotta

Greddy said:

I can't see that happening, as it would take away some of the depth we get with this move. Mind you, I would probably be happy if I found out we were doing this. It is my belief that we played our best, most attractive, and most effective football when we had a talented defensive midfielder to make things easier for the attack. Marquez played extremely well there.

That said, I really don't want to be counting on a 34y/o in central defense for any prolonged period of time. Personally, I think we got Thuram to give the starters rest (without having to rely on Ole anymore), and as coverage in case of injury. I think that is a role for which he is perfect.
Click to expand...

True, Thuram will be content to help us from the bench, besides it is a long season and we will need every one available.

acmilan_barcelona · Jul 20, 2006

Leon12 said:

I'm another who is really looking forward to seeing Sergio Aguero playing in La Liga. Just hope not to much pressure is put on him in his first season, after all he is only 18. And of course I'm looking forward to seeing Messi back in action.

Barca have a very strong squad, I can see them doing the League/CL double again in the coming season.
Click to expand...

i would love to add the copa del rey to our collection this season. it is along time since we last won it.

Chuck-Puyol-Norris · Jul 20, 2006

Marquez will not be played as a DM. We already have found out how we play. Marquez plays CB with Puyol. And he has done a damn great job and has formed one of the BEST CB partnerships in the world with Puyol. Rijkaard is not dumb enough to ******** that up. Edmilson has done a great job as a DM this season. And he will start as well.

The question is will he play Zamb as a LB and Oleguer or Thuram at RB or he will play Gio on the left and Zambo on the right.

Lucho-the-Legend · Jul 20, 2006

Re: Barca Snatch Thuram And Zambrotta

Chuck-Puyol-Norris said:

Marquez will not be played as a DM. We already have found out how we play. Marquez plays CB with Puyol. And he has done a damn great job and has formed one of the BEST CB partnerships in the world with Puyol. Rijkaard is not dumb enough to ******** that up. Edmilson has done a great job as a DM this season. And he will start as well.

The question is will he play Zamb as a LB and Oleguer or Thuram at RB or he will play Gio on the left and Zambo on the right.
Click to expand...

Zambrotta is being purchased as a wing back. He can play either side and will be used, most likely, on the right. Thuram is being bought as coverage for the center backs.
As for Marquez at DM, this is the position where he can ideally play. Yes Edmilson does a good job but god forbid he get hurt or something. Also note, Marquez was originally purchased to play as DM and two seasons back played the entire season in that role.

mikeb3142 said:

Thuram is a very good cb. I think he plays that role better than Edmilson plays the holding midfielder role.
Click to expand...

Edmilson doesn't play a holding midfield role. Xavi or Iniesta do

FORMAL said:

zambrotta puyol marques sylvinho
xavi
iniesta deco
messi ronaldinho
eto'o
Click to expand...

Where is your DM?????

Greddy said:

I can't see that happening, as it would take away some of the depth we get with this move. Mind you, I would probably be happy if I found out we were doing this. It is my belief that we played our best, most attractive, and most effective football when we had a talented defensive midfielder to make things easier for the attack. Marquez played extremely well there.

That said, I really don't want to be counting on a 34y/o in central defense for any prolonged period of time. Personally, I think we got Thuram to give the starters rest (without having to rely on Ole anymore), and as coverage in case of injury. I think that is a role for which he is perfect.
Click to expand...

True to that. Thuram knows his role, as did Larsson before him. He doesnt expect to start on a regular basis but come off the bench/be there for coverage when players are injured. He is sacrificing himself for the big prize which has alluded him in his career.

ECMoney · Jul 20, 2006

Congrats on purchasing Zambrotta from Juve.

He is such a great player. He is Juve's and Italy's most consistent player over the past 5-6 years. He is so under-rated, worth every penny and so versatile. He can play LB and is great defensively and also can push up or play an attacking midfield role down the flanks.

He is a great player, you will enjoy his services and what he brings to the team!

Chuck-Puyol-Norris · Jul 20, 2006

Re: Barca Snatch Thuram And Zambrotta

Lucho-the-Legend said:

Zambrotta is being purchased as a wing back. He can play either side and will be used, most likely, on the right. Thuram is being bought as coverage for the center backs.
As for Marquez at DM, this is the position where he can ideally play. Yes Edmilson does a good job but god forbid he get hurt or something. Also note, Marquez was originally purchased to play as DM and two seasons back played the entire season in that role.
Click to expand...

Marquez may have used to be played as a DM. But he has formed the best CB partnership in the world with Puyol. We can't wait a half a season to experiment with a new lineup and wait for Thuram to try and form a partnership with Puyol that will not work out.

Marquez-Puyol have already gotten it down, trying Thuram at Cb to start the entire season is certain to fail.

FORMAL · Jul 20, 2006

Re: Barca Snatch Thuram And Zambrotta

Where is your DM?????

I'm saying that i'd like to see more experimentation playing either xavi or iniesta in the DM position, they both have shown well in this role when it was required. iniesta needs to find a way into our starting 11, he is too good to sit. our back line is now solid and we can afford to have our DM move forward more often than edmilson allows.

Battlecat714 · Jul 20, 2006

ECMoney said:

Congrats on purchasing Zambrotta from Juve.

He is such a great player. He is Juve's and Italy's most consistent player over the past 5-6 years. He is so under-rated, worth every penny and so versatile. He can play LB and is great defensively and also can push up or play an attacking midfield role down the flanks.

He is a great player, you will enjoy his services and what he brings to the team!
Click to expand...

Sorry for Juve, they're getting raped in the transfer zone.

Lucho-the-Legend · Jul 20, 2006

Re: Barca Snatch Thuram And Zambrotta

Chuck-Puyol-Norris said:

Marquez may have used to be played as a DM. But he has formed the best CB partnership in the world with Puyol. We can't wait a half a season to experiment with a new lineup and wait for Thuram to try and form a partnership with Puyol that will not work out.

Marquez-Puyol have already gotten it down, trying Thuram at Cb to start the entire season is certain to fail.
Click to expand...

Again, they arent the best center back combination in Europe, they are good, great even but not the best.
Football is not black and white....shit happens and certain schemes work better than othera. Marquez may play some DM this season, especially when Edmilson is not healthy, because Thuram covering at CB is a lot better than Motta at DM.

And if Puyol can make Oleguer look good, trust me, he will have little issues doing the same with Thuram. Plus having Thuram in the line up provides something neither Puyol, Ole, and Marquez were able to do well last season, this being providing an arial defense on free kicks, corners and crosses. This was the biggest concession from last season and an undenailble weakness presently.

astabooty · Jul 20, 2006

Re: Barca Snatch Thuram And Zambrotta

Lucho-the-Legend said:

Marquez may play some DM this season, especially when Edmilson is not healthy,
Click to expand...

I hope for this in the bigger games (I do wanna see Rafa get in a few games at DM), but against a lower level team I am happy with Iniesta or MVB.

Lucho-the-Legend · Jul 20, 2006

Re: Barca Snatch Thuram And Zambrotta

astabooty said:

I hope for this in the bigger games (I do wanna see Rafa get in a few games at DM), but against a lower level team I am happy with Iniesta or MVB.
Click to expand...

*cough* Edmilson

elchico · Jul 20, 2006

Re: Barca Snatch Thuram And Zambrotta

This is officially the most talented group of individuals put together in quite a while. The lineup, in whatever shape, looks absolutely scary. 'Nuff said

ChainWhip · Jul 20, 2006

It's official:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/5201744.stm

It's what we all wanted eh? Can't wait for the season to begin!

unclesox · Jul 20, 2006

This needs to stop! I'm beginning to feel that anything short of a La Liga/Champions League/Copa treble will be considered a disappointing season.
Oops! Forgot that December tournament in Japan as well.

tapper · Jul 20, 2006

Wonder if Messi will change his number again. Zambrotta of course is #19.

But wow...what a squad we've assembled. Amazing that we came away with the biggest prize of the Italian fire sale.

Battlecat714 · Jul 20, 2006

unclesox said:

This needs to stop! I'm beginning to feel that anything short of a La Liga/Champions League/Copa treble will be considered a disappointing season.
Oops! Forgot that December tournament in Japan as well.
Click to expand...

dissapointment if Real Madrid beats us now.