Barcelona 2017/18

@Bwuk
He's as much of a DM as Carrick and Alonso were.
He needs a partner, we've see how Paulinho has transformed their midfield and its not down to his forward exploits.
Have Xavi or Paulinho as a partner and he's fantastic but give him that role on his own and you have Barcas midfield getting overrun as they have been in Europe since they last won the thing.
Taking away the legs, the discipline and physicality in Paulinho to play Coutinho there would be suicide.
 
Sayros said:
Dembele is not all about potential, he was one of the most creative players in Europe with BvB in his second professional season. In his first 3 years as a pro, he went from Rennes, to BvB, to Barcelona for over 100M, that's more than just potential. The only major question mark over him is his mentality and that will be seriously tested at Barcelona.

I expect him to make a big impact once he gets his confidence back.
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I meant in that context - lets say if Barca is up against City or PSG ,benching Dembele would make Barca more balanced. He is weakest link when you compare the ability and experience of other players of Barca.
 
If you have Rakitic and Busquets in midfield you won't get overrun. I prefer Paulinho as a super sub than a starter. He's been great consdering what was expected but he still finds himself out of position quite often. He's more like a rich man's Fellaini for Barca.

Barca's midfield this season has been superb, but just as much credit for that needs to be given to Iniesta, Busquets and Rakitic. And above all - Valverde.

Where Enrique looked to bypass the midfield to get the ball to the front three as quickly as possible Valverde likes to build up his attack.

I think Paulinho deserved credit but if Coutinho is coming on for anyone it's probably Iniesta. They'll rest Iniesta more often for La Liga ans save him for the big CL matches.

bond19821982 said:
I meant in that context - lets say if Barca is up against City or PSG ,benching Dembele would make Barca more balanced. He is weakest link when you compare the ability and experience of other players of Barca.
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That's a fair point but one thing Dembele does offer (and remember he isn't even match fit and has only played 3-4 games for Barca in total) is superb pace on the wings that Barca desperately lack. Dembele would allow Barca to a 4-3-3 instead of the defensive 4-4-2 (which has worked out well for them this season). Barca is often too slow on the counter but Dembele would help that. Him along with Sergi Roberto/Semedo on the right side should work out well.
 
bond19821982 said:
I meant in that context - lets say if Barca is up against City or PSG ,benching Dembele would make Barca more balanced. He is weakest link when you compare the ability and experience of other players of Barca.
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I agree with experience, not with the ability. We're talking about a guy who, when on form, can cross with deadly precision from both wings, is equally capable with both feet, and has dribbling/pace that's on par with anybody in Barcelona bar Messi (as far as dribbling is concerned, but it's not a big gap). But you're right, he is most likely to make the wrong decision due to his lack of experience and cohesion with the team, not to mention he's going to need a few more games just to get in match shape.
 
I think Dembele will be just fine. Don't understand how some can dismiss him so early, the kid is 20 years old and has barely played any competitive matches with his new team. He's made like what 3 or 4 appearances for the club, suffered serious injury. Impossible to make a judgement on the player so soon. In addition Barca is not the easiest of places for young players to just join and have immediate success. I would not be surprised if a young player like him needs a whole year to fully figure out how to best contribute to an already strong and veteran squad.
 
Johnny Love said:
I think Dembele will be just fine. Don't understand how some can dismiss him so early, the kid is 20 years old and has barely played any competitive matches with his new team. He's made like what 3 or 4 appearances for the club, suffered serious injury. Impossible to make a judgement on the player so soon. In addition Barca is not the easiest of places for young players to just join and have immediate success. I would not be surprised if a young player like him needs a whole year to fully figure out how to best contribute to an already strong and veteran squad.
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That's the world we live in. Dembele before his Barcelona move was almost as coveted as Mbappe (and rightfully so), and now he's someone who might not cut it. It's ridiculous. He's going to need time, then he'll quickly show just how good he is.
 
Sayros said:
That's the world we live in. Dembele before his Barcelona move was almost as coveted as Mbappe (and rightfully so), and now he's someone who might not cut it. It's ridiculous. He's going to need time, then he'll quickly show just how good he is.
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Definitely. I had a similar outlook when Neymar first arrived (A year older than Ousmane), that he would need time to adapt - fortunately for him he did not suffer injuries early but it took him time to adapt at first as well. Very much love the look of Dembele but he has yet to really have much time with the team as he never even had a preseason either. The training vids the club releases shows he is showing his quality all the time
 
Barcelona FC just anounced the signing of Yerry Mina
 
And with that signing, they're spending for this season has gone past 400M Euros.

Dembele: 153M
Coutinho: 160M
Paulinho: 40M
Semedo: 30M
Deulofeu: 12M
Marlon: 5M
Mina: 12M
 
VanGaalEra said:
And with that signing, they're spending for this season has gone past 400M Euros.

Dembele: 153M
Coutinho: 160M
Paulinho: 40M
Semedo: 30M
Deulofeu: 12M
Marlon: 5M
Mina: 12M
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So much for them being broke like the Caf is convinced. Even if you take out Neymar's 200m they still spent loads.
 
How is Semedo doing? Heard he had settled in well. Have to say I was gutted we didn't get him, could have been used on the left and eventually taken over from Valencia.
 
VanGaalEra said:
And with that signing, they're spending for this season has gone past 400M Euros.

Dembele: 153M
Coutinho: 160M
Paulinho: 40M
Semedo: 30M
Deulofeu: 12M
Marlon: 5M
Mina: 12M
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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DTQH5dbU0AAiaVF.jpg

Someone did the math. If the latest rumours(and they seem legit) of selling Rafinha, Turan and Deulofeu are true, then Barca will have spent only ~30 mil of euros for 17/18 season.

Note that it is specified for 17/18 season, so the potential variables of 80 mil (for Dembele and Coutinho) would be for future seasons.
 
VanGaalEra said:
And with that signing, they're spending for this season has gone past 400M Euros.

Dembele: 153M
Coutinho: 160M
Paulinho: 40M
Semedo: 30M
Deulofeu: 12M
Marlon: 5M
Mina: 12M
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Several inaccuracies on what was spent this season

Dembele: 153M --> €105M (Initial fee, bonuses not part of fiscal budget for this season)
Coutinho: 160M --> €105M (Initial fee, bonuses not part of fiscal budget for this season)
Paulinho: 40M
Semedo: 30M
Deulofeu: 12M
Marlon: 5M --> Signed in June 2017 (Not part of fiscal budget for this season)
Mina: 12M

Net spend: 304M

Sales thus far this season (Several still expected before end of January window)

Neymar: 222M
Tello: 4M
Mascherano: 10M
Mboula: 3M
Garcia: 1.5M

Net sales: 240.5M

Currently their next expenditures on transfers is at €63.5M and likely to reach less than half of that by January 31
 
Nickosaur said:
How is Semedo doing? Heard he had settled in well. Have to say I was gutted we didn't get him, could have been used on the left and eventually taken over from Valencia.
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Very well, as ideal a replacement for Alves as we could hope to find in today's market. He's splitting duty with Sergi as Valverde has the 4-4-2 with little wing play due to Ousmane's absence

Quick, smart defender and terrific in attack - I expect even better things as he becomes more & more comfortable in the squad
 
FCBarca said:
Several inaccuracies on what was spent this season

Dembele: 153M --> €105M (Initial fee, bonuses not part of fiscal budget for this season)
Coutinho: 160M --> €105M (Initial fee, bonuses not part of fiscal budget for this season)
Paulinho: 40M
Semedo: 30M
Deulofeu: 12M
Marlon: 5M --> Signed in June 2017 (Not part of fiscal budget for this season)
Mina: 12M

Net spend: 304M

Sales thus far this season (Several still expected before end of January window)

Neymar: 222M
Tello: 4M
Mascherano: 10M
Mboula: 3M
Garcia: 1.5M

Net sales: 240.5M

Currently their next expenditures on transfers is at €63.5M and likely to reach less than half of that by January 31
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I have to admit that's not a bad piece of business.
 
And to top all of that the team is doing better without Neymar.
 
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FCBarca said:
I understand, I love his talent no question but I tired of the other side of his game that lacked the professionalism of his pal Alves
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I agree but that level of talent is worth having in the squad despite the negatives.
 
See? Its not always that you need a manager with exceptional CV to lead you to titles!
A manager with least impressive, but having good tactical nous, backed by an ambitious board can do so much better!!!
 
The day Messi decides he doesn't want to score goals anymore he will just slip into the midfield and become best midfielder on the planet. How is it possible to be that kind of finisher and creator at the same time?? He can probably play until 50 in the midfield with that footballing intelligence.
 
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Dembele starting to play like Dembele again.
 
Who'd have thought that Paulinho would be one of the best signings made in whole of La Liga this season.
 
Only time before Dembele becomes an important player for them. He's ridiculously talented. He'd have been the perfect RW for us.
 
I might look like a complete wanker when someone finds this post in 10 years time

But I think that Dembele's ceiling is as high as Neymar's.
 
Yerry Mina, 1.95m, presented today after completing his medical - might be the tallest Barcelona footballer ever at the club, certainly since I've been following the club. Will wear #24.

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