The thing is, it's very difficult to intepret ability with youth team players and make accurate projections. It seems ridiculous in hindsight to think certain players were predicted as future greats, but I don't think that these comparisons were necessarily invalid at the time.
Loads of gifted players don't fulfil their potential. For various reasons, but not always because they didn't have the ability to. Players like Quaresma may have been touted as the next this or that, but subsequent players who have actually gone on to deliver on such hype may not have had more ability than Quaresma. I reckon there are some players playing at lower league clubs who have more ability than Premier League players. And I know some players who have made it pro who were not as gifted as others as kids.
We are often premature with wild claims and comparisons, but I think many people can intepret special ability when they see it. Of course, doesn't mean it will ripen, but at the time, the kid may have enough skill to become a great.
What about Juan Roman? He was supposedly the jewel in City's academy then Barca nabbed him at the end of last season.
I am being serious but £21m for an unproven talent is far too much and even more pointless, IMO, with a certain Tom Cleverley and Nick Powell waiting in the wings.I actually think that's a great price, if you're being serious.
£21million for a young central midfield player with big potential, probably as good a deal as you'll get today.
Well to be honest, my statement that quite a few of our squad would not get into Barcelona's over the last few years is pretty much fact. We have seen when meeting them in recent years that they have been quite a fair bit better than us.
We have a better defence than them I reckon, and they are superior in front of of the defence. I'd say only van Persie would get into their side. As for their wide men, just because theirs aren't as good as Messi/Iniesta doesn't mean they are not very good. Football fans always seem to think any old winger is better than Pedro, for instance. What has Nani done to prove himself better than Pedro? 'On his day'? Which day is that? On most days, he's a substitute.
I think their 'mortal' players get judged harshly simply because they have a few ridiculously good, amongst the best ever playing next to them. For this reason, people are now going as far as to say Danny Welbeck is better than David Villa, when again, very little backs that up.
I am being serious but £21m for an unproven talent is far too much and even more pointless, IMO, with a certain Tom Cleverley and Nick Powell waiting in the wings.
I agree with you, Kid Cunto on trying to find a certain player, who is ready for the Premier League, e.g. Matic, Gündogan (unlikely), Modric, Moutinho, to name a few.
He's absolutely good enough. If there were no Leo, he'd be Ballon D'Or material. I believe that.
I am being serious but £21m for an unproven talent is far too much and even more pointless, IMO, with a certain Tom Cleverley and Nick Powell waiting in the wings.
I agree with you, Kid Cunto on trying to find a certain player, who is ready for the Premier League, e.g. Matic, Gündogan (unlikely), Modric, Moutinho, to name a few.
I don't think it's a question of him being 'unproven' or 'good enough', there's potential there for everyone to see.
Just taking it all with a pinch of salt with Barcelona apparently so eager to offload him. Especially when you consider there'll be plenty of rebuilding in their team in the coming years.
Nobody can even judge the likes of Matic as ready for the PL either. Better players have flopped here.
Have you ever considered being a professional scout? Sounds like you'd be perfect.
We're getting ripped off if its true there getting Neymar for €27m. They best drop that price tag.
I'd be delighted if we picked him up. Very dubious it will happen though.
Well you have to remember that their eagerness to offload him is completely unverified. That's probably just media bollocks. The only solid quotes from anyone that we've had on the situation are the seemingly regular ones from his dad moaning that he doesn't play enough under Vilanova and wants to move.
What is verified is what you can see on the pitch if you watch him - and what FCBarca (and various others) saw on the pitch 52 times in the 2011-12 season. That, for me, counts for more than rumours that Barca might want to sell him.
I think they see Thiago as an heir to Xavi since they are the ones who play similar positions and Fabregas plays a little ahead of them.
At least whenever I see those two on the field at the same time, its always Cesc who is a more attacking role ahead of Thiago hence I thought Thiago was the more apparent replacement.
And whats the guarantee that even if we do get this lad, that he wont be tempted to go back? De Gea is different. Thiago is in the Barca 1st team. Lets say Xavi retires in three years. They will invariably come snooping around to replace him. I think they see Thiago as an heir to Xavi since they are the ones who play similar positions and Fabregas plays a little ahead of them.
Is there a reason why Barca would look to sell Thiago or Cesc? Their squad isn't really that big, and they are both very good players.
In Thiago's case we are entering a World Cup season and he may look to find regular football in order to secure a place in Spain's squad next summer.
In Thiago's case we are entering a World Cup season and he may look to find regular football in order to secure a place in Spain's squad next summer.
There's no chance that Del Bosque will disrupt the rhythm of the Roja midfield with the inclusion of Thiago regardless of what happens this coming season or where he plays - unless there's an injury. Of course, I think he should've been playing more already but it is what it is, Del Bosque is a bit old school that way
Do you really think he'll play with Alonso and Xavi in midfield next year? Hard to imagine they'll be fit enough for 7 games in 4 weeks. Not sure if Thiago is the solution, he could build the midfield around Fabregas, Busquets, Martinez, Iniesta. But surely he has to change something?
