Not that it would happen but, Pique-Cheillini would be hard.
Gerard Piqué
- Thread starter KiD MoYeS
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
Was thinking the exact same thing. And we could get both for a combined fee of £20-25 million too.Hes a good defender and he did look good before he left us. Doubt he is on the wane tbh probably just needs a new club. On top of that he is not always injured. Still I would rather we signed Laporte.
Sanchez and Fabregas are the best players in the league in their respected positions, nothing wrong with some of Barcelona's 'rejects'.
I however always thought he was massively overrated, I don't have to touch on any of the points why as they've already beings stated above. Also don't think we've ever seen him enough defensively to rate him as a player we currently need. I'm guessing he'd cost in the region of £30 million, which we could get Hummels for that or both Chiellini and Vertonghen which would see our defense pop up to the best in the league (on paper) not to mention they both play 30-40 games a season which is nearly double or crocks.
I never really understood why Barcelona sold Sanchez. He was always a consistent performer with them. Fabregas on the other hand was playing in a role which wasn't his. No wonder why he wasn't delivering the goods
Pique is playing in his natural role and failing. He is also married to a superstar and is obsessed with poker. FFS this squad need players who are hungry for success. Pique is not that type of player
If you look at our crocks, 30 games a season seems fine for them. Wonder why there's a idealism that Smalling Jones & co only play 20 games a season, it's simply not true.
As for Pique, there must be reasons he's not getting time at Barca, he should be a nailed on starter. Personally think he no longer has the desire, which to me would be a straight no no when looking at new additions to the squad.
Hummels, Vlar, Chiellini & Vertonghen should tick all those boxes, especially the latte three.
Regarding the needing a leader beside him, I agree, but...I don't think he can't perform without one. What about in Euro 2012? He was paired with Ramos then too so I don't think 1 good tournament and 1 bad tournament with a partner is a good example. Just a minor issue there though, as I said I do agree that he needs a Puyol type beside him.
I do strongly disagree that it was easy for him (or anyone else) to defend well for Barcelona at their peak though. They controlled games which meant they didn't concede possession much, but when they did the centre backs had to quickly stop the counter attack or they'd be in a 40 yard sprint against a faster forward. Look at clásico games in the past, Piqué was absolutely sensational dealing with Cristiano Ronaldo at times. His 1 on 1 defending was so much better than it is now, and that's something that I struggle to see being effected by the system. As I said if anything it's harder to defend in such a high line when you lack pace.
He's absolutely gone to shit, but that doesn't mean you have to rewrite how good he actually was at his peak. An all time great? No. But one of the best in the world once upon a time, and it wasn't because the system was protecting him.
As I said, I think he downturn in form is related to his club side playing a different way and his national team not being the force they were. They've taken a step back and all of a sudden he seems to have his limitations as a defender exposed.
As regards playing in La Liga in the vast majority of games (and in the early CL rounds) they're playing sides who are happy to let Barca have the ball and may try the odd counter. He was able to stroll through games. In Clasicos I've seen ist been a different story and Madrid have had plenty of joy against them in those games. Its also the case that other sides have got wise as to how to play against Barca's system and the same can be said for Spaini - pace in behindis what the top sides have now and he looks like he can't cope with that.
He might have been considered one of the best a few years ago, but for me that tells you the lack of quality defenders out there at the time. He lacks pace, has a mistake in him and can't lead a back four- which given what he's won, and the experience he's got, you'd expect him to be able to do.
We need a player with those assets, not someone no longer considered good enough by another top side - especially the ability to lead and organise the back line, and certainly not a player who despite having had it good for years now seems to be struggling for motivation and form.
Most of that is fair. I'm not trying to say that Piqué would be a good signing for you by the way, so I'm with you on how you think he doesn't suit what you need.
It's how you downplay how good he was a few years ago that annoys me. You keep acting like he was protected at Barcelona but he wasn't. Put Vidić or any number of "world class" defenders in that 2008-2011 Barcelona and they'd look absolutely hopeless. There's no way you can convince me that defending 1 on 1 against a pacey forward on your own half way line is easy, especially with no cover in behind. It was a high risk strategy and he was brilliant at it. You act like teams have changed their approach, but they haven't. In Guardiola's time there they still used the high ball over the top/down the sides of the defence. Piqué was fine then, because he was actually motivated.
Don't think we'll ever agree though so I'll leave it at that.
Is Pique/Shakira as attention seeking as the Beckham/Adams couple that desired celebrity status?
I guess it's far away from the Beckham level because Shakira isn't obsessed to be in every magazine like Victoria
And apparently the Barca bosses and Luis Enrique are more worried about his party life and poker/casino life
But we all know Beckham would have been a different player without a famous wife
Touche. He would have remained a football player first and foremost.
But it isn't just Pique or Beckham
How many players (Not just top players) have joined a London club instead of Manchester United/Manchester City/Liverpool/Everton/Aston Villa because the wife has said "I want to live in London if we're going to England!!!!"
Probably a decent amount, and some was simply the player's choice of lifestyle. Have read that's why DeSailly chose Chelsea over United (the second time, as he was very close in 1996 only for Milan to offer him a massive wage increase). He chose London for the schooling options available to his children. Granted, this could also be a cop out instead of saying "I want to live in X city" or "more money offered."
That said, and I have been married (at a very young age) and have had numerous adult relationships, but allowing the spouse/significant other to be the deciding factor in such a decision that involves millions of dollars is ludicrous IMO. The money on offer is more than enough to make any situation quite comfortable. Well, except perhaps living in Russia or the Middle East aside.
He's better than all the defenders that we have and counts as home grown. We could do worse (Vermaelen).
Do not want. We need someone ready to step in immediately and have an impact.
Not to derail this thread, but that's quite astonishing considering his fame and earning potential.
On Pique: Even considering his gambling addiction he's comfortably better than all our defenders. I'd spend money on him rather than the latest Basque flavor of the month.
Its all about opinions, but for me, you can have a player who looks very good in a very good side who perhaps isn't the player that people might think. There was a huge love in for all things Barca but for me the key to that was a great midfield and a system created by Guardiola whereby defenders rarely had to defend. That's a huge positive for a centre back and (as referred to above) the fact that a central midfield player (albeit a very good one) in Mascherano can slot in with little difficulty suggests that the system is a good one for defenders.
He's not a player I've ever rated as highly as some do. He's not got that dominance or leadership that I think top central defenders have. I think Vidic and Ferdinand were bothe better players than him over the period. I think Chiellini is a better player now, as well as Godin at Athletico Madrid. There are a few others I rate as well.
Bottom line - if he's not getting picked at Barca, and given his obvious limitations (and suggested attitiude problems) I dont see that he's a good fit for the PL - especially in a side lacking defensive cohesion and arguably in need of umpteen players.
i'll take any international defender who can stay fit now.
What???
Pique has proved himself at the top level! 4 la Liga titles, 2 Champions League medals, a European Championship and a World Cup!
I think he would do great for us personally, and he wouldnt cost a fortune.
He's a bit slow but has the credentials.
What's his recent injury record like?
What's his recent injury record like?
I find the criticism of him pretty harsh. He doesn't play in a proper back four like Chelsea or Atletico have. Most of the time it's him & his fellow centre half back & absolutely noone else. Defending set-pieces? Him & Busquets have been the only regulars over 5'9 for the past two/three years.
Being a centre back for Barca is a lot harder, or at least completely different, than any other team.
He played one game for Spain in the World Cup in which the whole team looked rubbish so I think it's lazy to use that as evidence that he's gone downhill.
Being a centre back for Barca is a lot harder, or at least completely different, than any other team.
He played one game for Spain in the World Cup in which the whole team looked rubbish so I think it's lazy to use that as evidence that he's gone downhill.
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If there is any truth to the fact that he wants to leave then I assume we would be favorites to get him. He would get to play regularly at a club he already knows and under a manager who likes ball playing defenders but I just can't see Barca letting him go especially with the ban.
Coffee addicts?
Would need someone quick alongside him
Like sailing a speedboat alongside an oil tanker
Like sailing a speedboat alongside an oil tanker
We need to take him before Laporta goes back to Barcelona, him being on the bench is more a political decision than a sporting one.
There have been rumours that Mourinho wants him to be the long-term replacement for Terry. He'd get to live in London with Shakira and be reunited with his best mate Fabregas.
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Would have been a good player to sign, but too many rumors about his off field activities put me off. Need someone more motivated.
We can fix that 100%
Unfortunately for Terry the lips don't lie.
I think he'd love to come back here, and I'd welcome him with open arms. Also I think he can help teach the young defenders a thing or two.
I'd have thought Mourinho would push the boat out for Varane (who would be my #1 pick but in reality there's zero chance of Madrid letting him go... unless they decide they need a sparkly new toy) rather than Pique.
That said, Pique would still be better than pretty much all of our CBs and still young enough to play a while.
latter*Do not want.
Pique to MovistarTV "Barcelona is my life and a departure isn't in my plans. I won't ask to leave if I don't play in 1 or 2 matches"