Barca clear out

[LeTallecWiz]

As per article in Sport.es, Barca are planning a major clear out to rebuild their squad. Obviosuly, it depends entirely on who they bring in for Tata, but should we be looking at any of the below?

[article=http://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/barca-pone-trece-jugadores-mercado-3265702]Alves, Cesc, Mascherano, Song, Alexis, Adriano, Pedro y Tello[/article]

Alexis would be #1 on my list ... a fantastic signing - he's quality, scores goals and can play anywhere across the front 3. Maybe this goes back to the 'Messi doesn't like him' issues of earlier the year, which his normally a certain exit for the player.

 

[Frogfish]

Not sure Barca can get rid of that many players, or sign replacements and stay even close to FFP, never mind the postponed ban and how that might affect their transfer policy.

 

[StevieM]

It's Barca.... as if the authorities are actually going to do anything to curtail anything they do.

their transfer ban will probably end up being reduced to 3 months starting in September.

 

[737Max]

Would take Alexis and Song, worryingly is that we keep getting linked to Tello who in my opinion is crap

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Not sure Barca can get rid of that many players, or sign replacements and stay even close to FFP, never mind the postponed ban and how that might affect their transfer policy.

No ban this transfer window.

They've already replaced Valdes with Ter Stegen it seems.

Halilovic has signed too.

 

[King Binny]

Besides Valdes, Puyol's leaving too, right? Iniesta is turning 30 and Xavi is 34. Big shoes to fill.

 

[jimmy]

I agree re Alexis and Song. But they won't be cheap. Maybe we can offer them Aspas and Alberto in an exchange deal...

 

[SummerOnions]

I'd take Adriano

 

[keniget]

What's with the persistent Fabregas rumours? I don't understand why they'd consider letting him go, particularly after the departure of Thiago. It's not his fault he's played up front most of the time. And in fairness to him, he doesn't do too bad a job there.

Same goes for Alves. He's still a good player for them. I'm guessing if he does go, it'll be to one of the Arab teams who will pay him in gold bullions.

They'd be stupid to get rid of Pedro. He has his dry patches and can be a bit selfish at times but he's still a good player to have around. It would be better for them to make amends on that front.

Ditto Alexis though he's perhaps less suited to their style than Pedro and as such more dispensable. He's looked much better since they opened up their game more and has been unlucky (if you can call it that) not to feature more.

I think most of them will probably be on too much money to make it worthwhile. City were originally in for Alexis and might go for him again - though they now have Navas for that role. Either way, he'll cost a fortune, so probably rules him out for us.

Adriano is a good fit because he can play fullback and winger on either flank and that's exactly the kind of versatility our thin squad needs. I wouldn't pay the earth for him but anything around the 8M mark would be good business.

Song, meh. Maschareno, no. I was in favour of us getting Tello before, when I thought we were shit, but after this season I don't think we need to be taking on that kind of project / risk.

 

[The Slugmonster]

Busquets or Mascher for me. Although we have scored plenty goals and no doubt need to sign a few more quality attacking players last night just showed how naive we can be at times. The next step has to be strengthening a leaky defence. Someone like mascher is perfect for how we play as if a full back is high up the pitch he will naturally fill in a chase any ball down. Lucas looks off the pace at the moment and will probably be a squad player next season. The Lucas that dominated Silva and Chelsea all those seasons ago isn't coming back I fear.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

I'll take Pedro if they deem him surplus to requirements.

 

[ibromurph]

I'd love Alexis and Fabregas. Though that's 60-70 odd million there. I'd also take Song (Lucas replacement) and Adriano too.

 

[Mors]

That list is laughable. They may aswell have put Neymar and Messi in there aswell. When was the last time they had a clear out of 5 or 6 first team players? Never.
On a side note, I really do think we need a Mascherano/Song sort of player, as our defence is utterly unprotected by Gerrard and Lucas.

 

[redhorizon2]

As per article in Sport.es, Barca are planning a major clear out to rebuild their squad. Obviosuly, it depends entirely on who they bring in for Tata, but should we be looking at any of the below?

[article=http://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/barca-pone-trece-jugadores-mercado-3265702]Alves, Cesc, Mascherano, Song, Alexis, Adriano, Pedro y Tello[/article]

Alexis would be #1 on my list ... a fantastic signing - he's quality, scores goals and can play anywhere across the front 3. Maybe this goes back to the 'Messi doesn't like him' issues of earlier the year, which his normally a certain exit for the player.

I hear that the asking price for Cesc is £40m and Tallo is £8m. I would take Mascher if we were able to buy him for less than £10m and the same with Alves. What are the individual (market) price of each player?
I would take a gamble on Tallo for £8m

 

[Fox]

Utd will get cesc

 

[LeTallecWiz]

That list is laughable. They may aswell have put Neymar and Messi in there aswell. When was the last time they had a clear out of 5 or 6 first team players? Never.
On a side note, I really do think we need a Mascherano/Song sort of player, as our defence is utterly unprotected by Gerrard and Lucas.

Won't be here either.

Alves - 1st team
Cesc - rotation
Masch - 1st team (but to be replaced by Batra, or new CB)
Song - back up
Alexis - back up (was only 1st team when Messi or Neymar was injured)
Adriano - back up to Alba
Pedro - rotation
Tello - back up

 

[Halmeister]

The only one I wouldn't take would be Tello.

 

[Halmeister]

And maybe Mascherano

 

[Mors]

Won't be here either.

Alves - 1st team
Cesc - rotation - 53 games this season
Masch - 1st team
Song - back up - 30 games this season
Alexis - back up - 52 games this season
Adriano - back up to - 36 games this season
Pedro - rotation - 52 games this season
Tello - back up

Ltw, those rotation players you mention have played 30,40,50 games this season.
Tello is wank, he might go.

 

[Ryan]

I have no idea why anyone would want Mascherano.

Quite possibly the most overrated footballer of his generation.

 

[StevieM]

I have no idea why anyone would want Mascherano.

Quite possibly the most overrated footballer of his generation.

Because he's better than Lucas - by a significant amount.

 

[Ryan]

Because he's better than Lucas - by a significant amount.

At what?

He's a defensive midfielder that can't pass the ball, slides into far too many fucking tackles, gives away way too many free-kicks and doesn't really suit the way we play.

When everyone was clamouring for a DM in January, I said we didn't need one - we've got 3 players that can play that role - and I was proven right.

We didn't need another one then, we don't need another one now. And even if we did, I still wouldn't want Mascherano.

 

[Farkmaster]

At what?

He's a defensive midfielder... too many fucking tackles... gives away way too many free-kicks and doesn't really suit the way we play.

 

[Markeh]

Sanchez would be great. I like Pedros pace but he's a bit of a nob.

Not bothered about the rest.

 

[StevieM]

At what?

He's a defensive midfielder that can't pass the ball, slides into far too many fucking tackles, gives away way too many free-kicks and doesn't really suit the way we play.

Enough about Lucas....

Look, was I one of those clamouring for a DM in the summer - no.

Do I think it's a priority - no.

Do I think Lucas is terrible - no.

However - there's something not right with Lucas - he's about as mobile as traffic cone at the minute and he absolutely should not be playing in the position he is at the moment - granted that's because Henderson's suspended.

I wouldn't be playing Mascherano in a more advanced position though.

You're quick to point out, rightly, that we need a stronger bench and options to change things round a bit.

But - Mascherano is better across the board at everything Lucas brings to the team - and would be a much better option than Lucas to have available for when we need him.

Not that I think we'll be in the slightest bit interested in him - but nevertheless we do need to start having closer look at Lucas - I really think injuries have screwed him.

 

[Halmeister]

Not sure about now since he's aged and been moved to centreback, but he was a better defensive midfielder for us than Lucas has been, or ever will be.

 

[Ryan]

Enough about Lucas....

Look, was I one of those clamouring for a DM in the summer - no.

Do I think it's a priority - no.

Do I think Lucas is terrible - no.

However - there's something not right with Lucas - he's about as mobile as traffic cone at the minute and he absolutely should not be playing in the position he is at the moment - granted that's because Henderson's suspended.

I wouldn't be playing Mascherano in a more advanced position though.

You're quick to point out, rightly, that we need a stronger bench and options to change things round a bit.

But - Mascherano is better across the board at everything Lucas brings to the team - and would be a much better option than Lucas to have available for when we need him.

Not that I think we'll be in the slightest bit interested in him - but nevertheless we do need to start having closer look at Lucas - I really think injuries have screwed him.

There's two different discussions here mate.

DM - We've got 3 players who can play that role well, and Lucas is one of them. What on earth we would need another one for I've no idea.

Lucas' recent role - He's quite clearly not an inside right midfielder. I didn't need to see him play there to know that. But neither is Mascherano - he's be just as ineffective there as Lucas is.

So, to sum up - there's no fucking point in buying Mascherano.

 

[StevieM]

There's two different discussions here mate.

DM - We've got 3 players who can play that role well, and Lucas is one of them. What on earth we would need another one for I've no idea.

Lucas' recent role - He's quite clearly not an inside right midfielder. I didn't need to see him play there to know that. But neither is Mascherano - he's be just as ineffective there as Lucas is.

So, to sum up - there's no fucking point in buying Mascherano.

I was suggesting that the point of buying Mascherano would be a replacement option for Lucas - short term replacement.

I agree with you on the other points.

Actually - I'm interested to see what they do with Conor Coady on his return from Sheffield Utd - as he seems to have done alright playing in a DM position.

 

[Peatcheo]

Alexi Sanchez or Pedro are more suited to our needs right now. Is Alvez solid enough defensively to sign?

 

[RolandG]

Alexis Sanchez and Mascherano/Song. They'll add quality to the first team.