Didn't they just buy Alba? :s
Gareth Bale | Signed new contract
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The Alba deal isn't official but it will be finalized ahead of the Euros, I wager...He's likely going to be a direct replacement for Adriano who is probably going to be moved...I think a 2nd LB is definitely in the cards and I've begun to believe the club is seriously considering Bale...They won't approach unless the player makes it clear where he wants to go as they won't enter into a bidding war with City
I don't know follow the player well enough to know what he wants
I don't know follow the player well enough to know what he wants
I couldn't see Bale getting in the team ahead of Alba unless you're going to use him as a wide player predominantly but also back up for Alba.
Isn't Alba not that much better defensively? Would seem strange to sign them both. I can see Bale at left back for Barca essentially replacing what Alves does on the right to give better balance, and it would give some sense to those Alves exit rumours. It would be an incredible move for Bale.
It's amazing just how essential Abidal is to that defence and the transition between a back 4 and 3. It's going to take signing two players to replace him as surely Barca need another CB. €80-100m on defenders this summer?
It's amazing just how essential Abidal is to that defence and the transition between a back 4 and 3. It's going to take signing two players to replace him as surely Barca need another CB. €80-100m on defenders this summer?
Alba is much more likely than bale IMO.
He is spanish for a start, and is actually from catalunya.
plays for the national team at LB, and is used too the spanish way off pass / move.
Bale would struggle with the lack of space that they are used too IMO
I'm not on board with a Bale pursuit but I wasn't on board for Cesc either...Not completely convinced the club is targeting him but there's sufficient local speculation that there is indeed interest
For me, ideally, they'd get Alba and a defensive ace at LB...Truth is, I'd be content with Alba & Siqueira from Granada
For me, ideally, they'd get Alba and a defensive ace at LB...Truth is, I'd be content with Alba & Siqueira from Granada
Marca report Barca is said to have agreed terms with the player and are now waiting for him to push the Board for a 40M euro move.
http://www.marca.com/2012/05/11/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1336689492.html
http://www.marca.com/2012/05/11/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1336689492.html
I know Barca don't put a lot of emphasis on defence but Bale at LB for 40M euros? feck my old boots, no wonder Guardiola took a sabbatical.I'd quite like to see how he does in Spain, I mean if he turns out good its fun to watch (well league games anyway), if he turns out bad then we might get a steal a few years down the line.
But yeah £40 million for a left back is serious business.
But yeah £40 million for a left back is serious business.
It's not like he'd need to defend is it?
Would have been useful v Chelsea for the odd 2 minutes here and there.
Maybe they're trying to develop a Plan B.
Scare the opposition with a Planet of the Apes lookalike?
You couldn't really call a Barca player a FB, a wingback is far closer to the truth in the system they play, and Bale would do very well in such a system I reckon.
Probably bullshit but if it isn't then I said it a few pages back - he would do very well in Spain. His power, speed, work rate and shooting would net him his fair share of goals.
Probably bullshit but if it isn't then I said it a few pages back - he would do very well in Spain. His power, speed, work rate and shooting would net him his fair share of goals.
Thing is, with everyone fit Abidal is their primary left back. I agree Alves is hardly a defender and often just charges forward like a winger, but the whole point is that Abidal fills in and it often becomes a back three as Abidal rarely goes forward. I could definitely see Bale flourishing in the kind of role Alves has but I doubt they'd be able to sustain playing them both for the whole season, especially games against the likes of Madrid.
I also doubt they'll sign him.
I also doubt they'll sign him.
Alves is probably off in the Summer though.
Abidal is not likely to play again professionally and the club isn't preparing for his return anytime soon
I would bet large sums of money that Bale would look like a God damn footballing genius in that Barca team.
I would think Bale could work pretty well in the left wingback role as he has bags of pace, is a good crosser of the ball and also shoots fairly well. However, he isn't as technical as some of the best and his passing isn't Barca quality. I do think he would improve the team though, as that left back spot is certainly up for grabs now with Abidal out; I also never thought Abidal was good enough in attack - solid defensively though.
What a load of nonsense.
So Bale, who is a model professional btw, has been talking to Barca without the club's permission and has agreed terms with them in advance of starting to agitate for a move from a Spurs? Yeah, right.
Yeah, people said the same about Ronaldo and we showe......oh, okay, fair enough.
Indeed Barca paying 40M euros for the overrated gimp is quite laughable.
He'd walk into Arsenal's first XI ... which makes your comment quite laughable.
I'd be very surprised if barca spent 40mil on him. He isnt good enough to play in their attacking front 4 and 40mil for him at LB would be a surprise considering his style is based on crossing the ball and barca have midgets as attackers.
Barca are much better than Arsenal. Bale is overrated and not worth the £35m or whatever. He certainly will stick out when playing in a team of technical geniuses.
He'd look so out of place at Barca. You'd have the likes of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Sanchez et el playing tikka-takka, passing it around with ease, keeping possesion, then Bale would get the ball and....Kick and Run!!
Ever thought he might provide them with a different method of attack? Their passing would open up space for him to run into, giving him more time to deliver a quality ball. Sometimes you need some pace and raw power to compliment tehnical ability.
Barca have a brilliant passing game, but no real plan B. They may benefit from having another couple of strings to their bow.
Yes but his crosses wont be much good when he has the likes of messi and sanchez to aim at.
Wheres the source for Alba to Barcelona? All the Valencia sites I usually use have got well behind with news now so none of them have anything on it. But its one I've been expecting ever since he proved himself as a left back last season.
Only if Alves gets sold, to shift the attack more to the left side, which will benefit Messi. No way Bale will be bought with Alves staying. Quote me on that.
If anything it'd harm not help Messi. He has a great understanding with Alves, but Messi plays through the middle now so having the support on the right or left doesnt matter. However if there was a specific game where they wanted to put Messi back in his old role on the right and theres no Dani Alves, that would certainly harm him.
He's also blisteringly quick and strong though - he'd be very effective in La Liga in my opinion.
You can cross along the floor too you know Varun!
haha. yeah i do but if its only midgets at the end of crosses, it makes the delivery very predictable.
Tiki-taka hasn't done much this season in terms of trophies though. The more "direct" team in Real Madrid are top of the pile. Barca need to be able to mix it up.
I can see Barca investing in players, and a left back is vital. If they get three or four in they'll have better strength in depth and be much more able to compete on various fronts.
Messi won't revert back to the right wing. Each year he's becoming more and more of a central attacking playmaker. He's providing throughballs and passes like these in every game:
Unfortunately he's often missing an outlet on the left side to utilise those passes properly. Bale used as a wingback on the left side with David Villa infront of him would elevate Messi's assist statistics from 30+ to 50+. Alves' runs on the right side are kinda wasted since Messi doesn't play on the right wing anymore.
tbh, to do Alves' role on the left, he's actually worth almost what they are quoting. He's capable of it too, like Alves, his defence should improve over time while at Barca.
Remember, it was a ridiculous price for Alves too back in the day. No one complains now.
Remember, it was a ridiculous price for Alves too back in the day. No one complains now.
I am still convinced you two are the same person. I have to go with the Glaston side of your personality on this one Bale would walk into that Arsenal first team anyday.
Messi won't revert back to the right wing. Each year he's becoming more and more of a central attacking playmaker. He's providing throughballs and passes like these in every game:
Unfortunately he's often missing an outlet on the left side to utilise those passes properly. Bale used as a wingback on the left side with David Villa infront of him would elevate Messi's assist statistics from 30+ to 50+. Alves' runs on the right side are kinda wasted since Messi doesn't play on the right wing anymore.
Messi can and does play passes to the right too. All you'd be doing is switching his passes to Alves to the other side with Bale. It wont give him more than he has.
I'm not a fan of Bale. I see him as a powerful version of Walcott. I have my doubts about his short passing skills and general technique in tight spaces. I can't see him doing this together with Messi for example (1:07):
I guess he could bring something else to the team though. So if the club spends big on him, it will only do it with the money they'll get from selling Alves.
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