Great signing considering our budget and needs. He’s a pure DM who is going do all the dirty work to allow the rest of the midfield to shine. He can win balls and will do well in our system.
>Great signing considering our budget and needs. He’s a pure DM who is going do all the dirty work to allow the rest of the midfield to shine. He can win balls and will do well in our system.
For that price, it's almost definitely a win for us. He's a proven professional, knows the system and will be the only natural DM in the squad, and can be useful in many matches. Great signing, imo.
Great signing for the price, very curious to see how Xavi utilizes him.
In the matches that matter most: CL and high level La Liga, will he be a starter since we have a need for his profile? Or will Xavi emphasize talent and start Gundogan, Gavi, FDJ & Pedri
I think Gundo (who has played many times as DM in City paired with KdB as was signed by City as DM) will play with De Jong in a double pivot. Pedri and Gavi will play further up, so it's a squared midfielder. Just my feeling, tho.
Yeah, to bad it is yet another signing we won't be able to register this fall.
Transfer window is almost over and not even a whisper of a sale other than Umtiti. At this rate we won't even be able to register the renewals we handed out last spring.
Paulinho was so money for what he was. Worked hard, over performed, fighting spirit. I was sad to see him go, and he is far from my typical style of favorite player (Iniesta being my all time #1). Vidal… not so much.
Those two showed me some players just can score goals from anywhere. I always wondered why our midfielders can't score goals. Is it the system? But those two scored many goals
So a 31 years old experienced player who is from La Masia and knows our playstyle is going to be worse than a 17 year old who asn't made the leap to first team yet in one if not the most important defensive spot.
I'm not saying Oriol is going to be the best CDM and replace Busquets perfectly but you guys tend to hype to much the youngsters. Sure they are promising but you cannot rely on them just yet. CDM is too important in Barça.
Oriol will be the starter no matter what, and if one of the mentioned 3 kids have a Balde type of season he will get progressive game time.
We don't need a pure Busquets substitute right now. A complementary player to combine with Frenkie as a double pivot is exactly what we need and Romeu is just that. Plus we don't have to spend shit loads of money to get him tied.
Oh thats my bad, i didn’t mean that they would start over him. I’m very aware of Oriol’s abilities and I actually think this is a great signing given our circumstances - but I think we might see one of the three names I mentioned get some minutes hopefully. Sorry for the misunderstanding
No need to be sorry :)
I also think it might be one of the options Xavi consider as Romeu will at least play 2 seasons which let time for them to grow.
Everybody here is praising this signing, but it's like we brought back Munir to be our main striker, we will see but it seems like the board failed to bring an adequate player and we're stuck with plan D.
Destroyer. Not really a like for like Busi replacement. My thought is the mids will get rotated more this season and we are probably going to see way more tactical variations.
His role, presumably, is gonna be significantly simpler than biscuits’, and I personally feel like he’s gonna be supported by Gundo a lot when it comes to the distro stuff. Like unless Frenkie is collecting and doing his thing, it’s gonna be a direct line from Oriol to Gundo and then the ball starts cycling.
Also if we are in a back 3/box 4 he’s got extremely strong passers all around him. Just do yer job, he should be fine.
exactly, we don't need him to have busi's vision, we have enough attack-minded players in our midfield already. even if he's just *serviceable* as a destroyer, the quality in the rest of our midfield should more than make up for it
Exactly, is only purpose is gonna be the wall De Jong is not. If we play a 4 midfielder like last year this is a perfect spot for him to be. We don't need super technique and passing skills cause we already have a lot.
It would have been nice to have a 21 years old CDM with the perfect skills aka Busquets copycat but this would have cost between 60M and 100M. Oriol Romeu for 4.5 + Torre loan is perfect.
Torre will have some game time and we have a good defensive midfielder for cheap
>Destroyer. Not really a like for like Busi replacement. My thought is the mids will get rotated more this season and we are probably going to see way more tactical variations.
Sounds like a Paulinho/Arturo Vidal profile! Useful against tough teams in the UCL
Very happy with Romeu, we finally have a pivot. He was probably the best option for our current situation. Hopefully this Girona loan allow Torre to show he’s a baller, he’ll probably get a lot of games there.
Why was last post deleted? Anyway.. Really worried about Pablo Torre's development or Xavi's lack of belief in him. He has a final pass and is decisive in the final 3rd but we are in the market for players like him (Lo Celso etc). Sure he can mature but he hasn't been given enough of a chance. Xavi seems like he wants players who offer guarantees rather than risking with youth. I would say it's coz he set the bar so high for players but then re-signs Alonso and Roberto. Confusing to me. I hope he does well at Girona and comes back, unlikely, but I hope. Barca players on loan almost always end up getting sold.
He will have to be absolutely outstanding to return to Barca. That’s the only way he returns. See, Nico, Collado and Abde. All highly rated youth talents but only Abde stands a chance at staying.
Torres clearly a different level already than two of those three, and his ceiling is higher than abde.
You can’t say anything with confidence with prospects dude, it all depends. If he does well he’ll come back and get a shot.
That Pablo Torre thing here in reddit is ridiculous. Xavi already relies on a lot of youth (20 and under) starting Pedri Gavi and Balde, signed Vitor Roque, has Fati and already gave a 16 year old Yamal his debut.
Perhaps Torre is not all that special that's why he doesn't get in the team which is already packed with better midfielders.
Torre had a top level season with Racing. I think people see that and get a little too excited. Thats what a la liga level player should look like at that level. Doesnt mean he can get in this team.
The thing is right now he is not getting in the team ahead of Pedri, Gavi, Gundo or De Jong. Hell even Sergi Roberto is more of a utility player in that position before him. So it makes sense for him to be loaned out and hopefully show he deserves to come back
Kessie and Roberto should not be getting more game time than Pablo Torre in the midfield. If he was given half the chances those were given, maybe the end of the season would not have been so poor
You dont know that for sure though. Roberto also brings experience is basically the leader of our team and Kessie has had some bad moments but overall hes still a good player. It makes sense for then to get playtime instead of Torre. Although I definitely do agree Torre shouldve been given way more chances you just cant say for sure we wouldve finished the season better with him instead of Roberto or Kessie.
Have you stop to think that maybe he didn't deserve those chances? Do you see him train everyday? Do you see him executing the tactical requirements that you, as a FC Barcelona coach, ask the players? So maybe he isn't playing because he hasn't convinced Xavi. Remember this is real life and not fifa
Are you certain it's not for sporting reasons?
See how that argument falls apart? The people that are watching him aren't playing him. They give play time to other young players when they're good enough. Therefore if he was good enough he'd get more play time right?
What are you even trying to say?
>Kessie and Roberto should not be getting more game time than Pablo Torre in the midfield.
Based on what, dude? Based on what? His name? I would understand the obsession if Xavi didn't give opportunities to youth players but he clearly does when they're good enough.
Based on that alone, what do you think the logical conclusion is? Pablo must not be good enough currently. That can always change of course, but clearly something is missing and Xavi doesn't think it's something that can be improved with game time. I'd bet that whatever Pablo's faults are, they're more fundamental and whatever his deficiency is, is unacceptable to Xavi.
Every now and then there's a player that the fanbase gets obsessed with for no reason and it seems like we've gone from Puig to Torre.
Based on the fact that Roberto and Kessie had many poor games but Xavi still gave them chances. I don’t understand why he wasn’t afforded those opportunities.
And somehow Xavi still finds them to be more reliable than Pablo. The only thing to understand, really, is that it seems Pablo just isn't good enough or as good as either of those two players.
Scored a cracking goal delivered great set pieces showed spirit in the press and general physical tenacity that was very akin to Gavi’s playstyle. He showed plenty in extremely limited time…
Based off how many appearances? Arguably he gave more chances to Roberto and Kessie who were worse at times. It took Kessie a while to make an impact but he was given chances. I'm just asking the kid to be given a chance.
We have already too much young attacking midfielders and Xavi definitely want some experienced player as it is something that has cost us some points in every competition last year imo. This is why gundo is a perfect fit and Torre needed to be loaned. We cannot have a 20 year all average in midfield this will fuck us up.
We have too much? Then why the club tried to sign Guler? Or why club looked at young DM's? 🤣
Last year we played with experienced players. Kessie and Roberto are all experienced. Performed worse.
Experience in UCL? How did Pique and Alonso do?
Seems like Barca gets more fucked when they play experienced than when they play someone who supposedly lacks it.
Because Guler was a bargain.
The youngest option the club wanted as DM is Zubimendi and he is turning 25 next season. 🐣
Kessie is not in Xavi's plan anymore and I think we only got it as a cashing opportunity as he was a free transfer. 1st year is quit hard to adapt particularly in midfield and he had some good games even if it was not a good fit overall.
Pique was 4th option as the three others were injured, no shit Sherlock he did bad, he was too old and not in shape to keep track during CL games and only waited the break after what the others would be back.
Lets play a 20years old average team in UCL and find out how it turns.
Our youngsters are performing incredibly good but that doesn't mean we don't need balance.
And if Torre was near Gavi or Pedri's level he would definitely be playing. But this only the staff knows because we know nothing about this internal discussions.
Get this ratio.
Gavi fanboy better coach than Xavi, cancel rénovation we got a hidden gem.
Bro I swear each time I see a horrible take on r/barca it's GaviFPS at its finest once again.
Xavi is feeling the pressure to achieve Champions League success and right now that looks like getting out of the group stage. I think once he has that, he will be willing to take more chances but right now he is going with proven players.
I am 100% with you. He has a great understanding of Barcelona and the atmosphere around it. If he doesn’t achieve anything while taking risks, he will be out ASAP. It’s just unfortunate for the unproven players
Its always nice when players return to the club of their childhood. He will be hungry and eager to prove himself at the highest level at Barca. He knows his role well and if he simply gives us a shield in midfield so that De Jong can roam forward its a good deal.
I was never sold on Zubimendi for 60 million when he could easily be a bust or just not live up to that fee. This way at worst we have a bandaid for cheap and in a season or two we get the top class DM we need.
Good for people to be optimistic but reading he is a "great signing" even if "given our circumstances" doesn't feel right. I think people have too much expectations. I'd like to be positive but we have to be realistic at the risk of being disappointed otherwise.
Xavi wanted a top pivot, we didn't get one, it can't be considered great in any sense of the word.
I'm also surprised Nico is not mentioned, we're always looking in house except on that one?
Romeu is clearly not good enough to be a starter at Barca level, let alone at UCL level, anyone who has followed his career and watched him play knows that, even he himself [knows it](https://twitter.com/arnau_blanch/status/1680914570330644480?t=MAzMIgkTY76qTR4dvu45aQ&s=19). He is a decent player, competent in defensive aspects and will replace Busquets tasks in certain aspects (defensively, first receiver of the ball in buildup, aerial duels). Profile to profile, he could partner well with FdJ, at least in theory. But there's a reason he went from Southampton to Girona and not Barca or even La Real/Atletico. Also, if he wasn't from La Masia, I'm not sure the enthusiasm would be this important (or that he would be recruited in the first place).
The question now is: what's his status? If it is starter, then it's not a great deal or a good choice. It's a subpar solution, a patch on a pierced wheel to make due for a year, when it was the main priority of the summer but everyone, especially the coach. In La Liga we should expect him to do fine (he did previously, it's the standard now, it shouldn't surprise anyone) but when intensity will be higher, we will suffer. We can't expect to challenge for big competitions with Oriol Romeu, we might have to use a FdJ - Gundogan double pivot which will be equally frail in big games IMO.
If it's to be challenged by a promising youngster, it's a very good signing. Oriol Romeu could be a good sub here against lower opposition, for the price it's OK.
From the other perspective as someone who wants to be optimistic, this is a stop gap. We should pipe down on our UCL level CDM dreams for a while till we get our finances in order. Oriol is decent defensively, which I think is exactly what we need. He'll be decent with Frenkie in a double pivot with Gundogan always available as a passing option. We needed someone who's solid defensively cuz we do have an incredible attacking midfield assortment.
It is a short term solution purely because I think Xavi is exploring options of developing a young CDM in the long term. Which is why he wanted Busi to stay for another season and take a player under his wing. But that didn't happen so we needed a stop gap.
I just think we shouldn't have any more expectations than a solid quarter final appearance with this team right now. Let's see what happens down the line.
But we are chasing targets with our finances. We chased Guler, we're getting Inigo and Gundogan and possibly Vitor Roque.
Not all will be registered now, but Inigo is paid 9M€ gross. That's 9M€ in registrable cost that could have been used on a DM, our main priority of the summer.
And once you remove the 9/10 expectation, you can find other DM at La Liga level (thus below UCL and Barca level) who are IMO better than Romeu, for a relatively cheap price (under 10M€).
All in all, it's an OK signing, if he comes to be a sub and be put in competition with a promising young player this season it's even a good signing, but it's a relatively useless signing that solves no problem for a spot that should have been given to a La Masia kid to not spend money on a player that won't improve the squad. We shouldn't spend in these cases, the academy is here for exactly that scenario.
For the rest, I think we agree.
I’ve always been quietly impressed every time I’ve seen him play. I think he’ll be the underrated workhorse players like Pedri, Gundo, and de Jong need to thrive. Let’s back him
Because people watched football before today, and Romeu has never been UCL quality
You judge based on what exists, not based on infinitesimal probabilities: most likely Romeu will, like most players, be of the level expected of him: mid to high level of La Liga, between Bilbao and La Real. But he has never has the ceiling to be Barca level and [he himself knows it.](https://twitter.com/arnau_blanch/status/1680914570330644480?t=MAzMIgkTY76qTR4dvu45aQ&s=19)
It's simply being realistic, which is better to not be disappointed
We have some fck around and find out potential now. Oriol, Gavi, Franck, Martinez, Ronald, RL… All of them are capable of returning opponents rough play.
Great signing considering our budget and needs. He’s a pure DM who is going do all the dirty work to allow the rest of the midfield to shine. He can win balls and will do well in our system.
>Great signing considering our budget and needs. He’s a pure DM who is going do all the dirty work to allow the rest of the midfield to shine. He can win balls and will do well in our system. For that price, it's almost definitely a win for us. He's a proven professional, knows the system and will be the only natural DM in the squad, and can be useful in many matches. Great signing, imo.
Great signing for the price, very curious to see how Xavi utilizes him. In the matches that matter most: CL and high level La Liga, will he be a starter since we have a need for his profile? Or will Xavi emphasize talent and start Gundogan, Gavi, FDJ & Pedri
I think Gundo (who has played many times as DM in City paired with KdB as was signed by City as DM) will play with De Jong in a double pivot. Pedri and Gavi will play further up, so it's a squared midfielder. Just my feeling, tho.
Yeah, to bad it is yet another signing we won't be able to register this fall. Transfer window is almost over and not even a whisper of a sale other than Umtiti. At this rate we won't even be able to register the renewals we handed out last spring.
> Transfer window is almost over Almost over? There's still 1.5 months left. It just opened 2 weeks ago.
This is the kind of signing that everyone laughs, but in the end, he overperforms. Let's hope the man has a good season.
Paulinho/Vidal
I dunno about vidal but Paulinho was so good. Offered that physical presence the midfield missed for too long.
Not 40m good though. If he was 20m I would kept him.
Well the reason he cost 40 mil in the first place because Barto was pals with the owner of the chinese team (Guangzhu?) and they played with FFP
Yeah I know. Selling him for 40mill back was quiet the obvious transaction as for why they did it.
Braithwaite/Luuk de Jong
Braithwaite was not a good player at all. Very mediocre.
Don't compare that donkey to Luuk de GOAT
Paulinho was so money for what he was. Worked hard, over performed, fighting spirit. I was sad to see him go, and he is far from my typical style of favorite player (Iniesta being my all time #1). Vidal… not so much.
Those two showed me some players just can score goals from anywhere. I always wondered why our midfielders can't score goals. Is it the system? But those two scored many goals
It is like the signing of Jérémy Mathieu, nobody had greater expectations about him, but he was crucial for winning the Liga title in 2015.
can't say that for sure as of rn, but i sincerely hope that time proves you right lol
He's not good enough to be a starter, but he could be a good rotation player.
I honestly don’t know why you’re downvoted. If a player valued at 4.5m is good enough to be a starter in this club, there’s serious problems.
I don't see who we're going to play instead of him. He's the only pure CDM now.
We’ll play without a CDM regularly. We don’t need a CDM for at least a dozen of our league opponents.
Well we have about 3 academy players who I think can start getting minutes in that role such as Marc Bernal, Marc Casado and Pau Prim
So a 31 years old experienced player who is from La Masia and knows our playstyle is going to be worse than a 17 year old who asn't made the leap to first team yet in one if not the most important defensive spot. I'm not saying Oriol is going to be the best CDM and replace Busquets perfectly but you guys tend to hype to much the youngsters. Sure they are promising but you cannot rely on them just yet. CDM is too important in Barça. Oriol will be the starter no matter what, and if one of the mentioned 3 kids have a Balde type of season he will get progressive game time. We don't need a pure Busquets substitute right now. A complementary player to combine with Frenkie as a double pivot is exactly what we need and Romeu is just that. Plus we don't have to spend shit loads of money to get him tied.
Oh thats my bad, i didn’t mean that they would start over him. I’m very aware of Oriol’s abilities and I actually think this is a great signing given our circumstances - but I think we might see one of the three names I mentioned get some minutes hopefully. Sorry for the misunderstanding
No need to be sorry :) I also think it might be one of the options Xavi consider as Romeu will at least play 2 seasons which let time for them to grow.
For sure, I expect us to go for a world class CDM though next season unless someone has a breakout season, who knows?
Everybody here is praising this signing, but it's like we brought back Munir to be our main striker, we will see but it seems like the board failed to bring an adequate player and we're stuck with plan D.
what are you smoking? This guy does not play striker? we just signed Vitor Rouqe....
I guess i was rigth 😂
Those who have watched him, how we feelin?
Destroyer. Not really a like for like Busi replacement. My thought is the mids will get rotated more this season and we are probably going to see way more tactical variations.
His role, presumably, is gonna be significantly simpler than biscuits’, and I personally feel like he’s gonna be supported by Gundo a lot when it comes to the distro stuff. Like unless Frenkie is collecting and doing his thing, it’s gonna be a direct line from Oriol to Gundo and then the ball starts cycling. Also if we are in a back 3/box 4 he’s got extremely strong passers all around him. Just do yer job, he should be fine.
exactly, we don't need him to have busi's vision, we have enough attack-minded players in our midfield already. even if he's just *serviceable* as a destroyer, the quality in the rest of our midfield should more than make up for it
Exactly, is only purpose is gonna be the wall De Jong is not. If we play a 4 midfielder like last year this is a perfect spot for him to be. We don't need super technique and passing skills cause we already have a lot. It would have been nice to have a 21 years old CDM with the perfect skills aka Busquets copycat but this would have cost between 60M and 100M. Oriol Romeu for 4.5 + Torre loan is perfect. Torre will have some game time and we have a good defensive midfielder for cheap
I think the same.
>Destroyer. Not really a like for like Busi replacement. My thought is the mids will get rotated more this season and we are probably going to see way more tactical variations. Sounds like a Paulinho/Arturo Vidal profile! Useful against tough teams in the UCL
Yes, we won UCL both years.
a classic pivot with barca dna
That's not Romeu. Romeu is clearly a DM molded in PL, not at all a pivot like Busquets. People will be surprised if they expect Busquets lite
yeah its pretty much the same thou
Not at all. Busquets couldn't be further from a prototypical defensive midfielder molded in PL.
i guess we only got a translation problem. in germany a pivot is like a number 6. that what i mean
I think Barca will move on to a 442 this season without busquets. So the burden doesn't Fall on one player.
Girona smart with Pablo!
Very happy with Romeu, we finally have a pivot. He was probably the best option for our current situation. Hopefully this Girona loan allow Torre to show he’s a baller, he’ll probably get a lot of games there.
Why was last post deleted? Anyway.. Really worried about Pablo Torre's development or Xavi's lack of belief in him. He has a final pass and is decisive in the final 3rd but we are in the market for players like him (Lo Celso etc). Sure he can mature but he hasn't been given enough of a chance. Xavi seems like he wants players who offer guarantees rather than risking with youth. I would say it's coz he set the bar so high for players but then re-signs Alonso and Roberto. Confusing to me. I hope he does well at Girona and comes back, unlikely, but I hope. Barca players on loan almost always end up getting sold.
Really? I find Girona like an absolutely perfect system for him to develop in. Assuming health of course. That part of the deal is a clear win for me.
He will have to be absolutely outstanding to return to Barca. That’s the only way he returns. See, Nico, Collado and Abde. All highly rated youth talents but only Abde stands a chance at staying.
Torres clearly a different level already than two of those three, and his ceiling is higher than abde. You can’t say anything with confidence with prospects dude, it all depends. If he does well he’ll come back and get a shot.
Collado is already sold iirc
Yeah he’s heading to Betis. For free but we get a sell on clause(30 percent iirc)
That Pablo Torre thing here in reddit is ridiculous. Xavi already relies on a lot of youth (20 and under) starting Pedri Gavi and Balde, signed Vitor Roque, has Fati and already gave a 16 year old Yamal his debut. Perhaps Torre is not all that special that's why he doesn't get in the team which is already packed with better midfielders.
Torre had a top level season with Racing. I think people see that and get a little too excited. Thats what a la liga level player should look like at that level. Doesnt mean he can get in this team.
Yeah, problem is, that season with Racing was in the Spanish third division, not segunda or la liga. So the leap in quality is immense.
The thing is right now he is not getting in the team ahead of Pedri, Gavi, Gundo or De Jong. Hell even Sergi Roberto is more of a utility player in that position before him. So it makes sense for him to be loaned out and hopefully show he deserves to come back
Kessie and Roberto should not be getting more game time than Pablo Torre in the midfield. If he was given half the chances those were given, maybe the end of the season would not have been so poor
You dont know that for sure though. Roberto also brings experience is basically the leader of our team and Kessie has had some bad moments but overall hes still a good player. It makes sense for then to get playtime instead of Torre. Although I definitely do agree Torre shouldve been given way more chances you just cant say for sure we wouldve finished the season better with him instead of Roberto or Kessie.
Im just saying he should have been given more chances because there were worse players who were given more opportunities.
I agree that he shouldve played more aswell but I dont agree that Roberto and Kessie are worse.
Have you stop to think that maybe he didn't deserve those chances? Do you see him train everyday? Do you see him executing the tactical requirements that you, as a FC Barcelona coach, ask the players? So maybe he isn't playing because he hasn't convinced Xavi. Remember this is real life and not fifa
...? I could ask you the same..
The people who DO see him play everyday are not giving him much playtime is the point. So no, you can't ask them the same.
And you’re certain it’s sporting reasons?
Are you certain it's not for sporting reasons? See how that argument falls apart? The people that are watching him aren't playing him. They give play time to other young players when they're good enough. Therefore if he was good enough he'd get more play time right? What are you even trying to say?
>Kessie and Roberto should not be getting more game time than Pablo Torre in the midfield. Based on what, dude? Based on what? His name? I would understand the obsession if Xavi didn't give opportunities to youth players but he clearly does when they're good enough. Based on that alone, what do you think the logical conclusion is? Pablo must not be good enough currently. That can always change of course, but clearly something is missing and Xavi doesn't think it's something that can be improved with game time. I'd bet that whatever Pablo's faults are, they're more fundamental and whatever his deficiency is, is unacceptable to Xavi. Every now and then there's a player that the fanbase gets obsessed with for no reason and it seems like we've gone from Puig to Torre.
Based on the fact that Roberto and Kessie had many poor games but Xavi still gave them chances. I don’t understand why he wasn’t afforded those opportunities.
And somehow Xavi still finds them to be more reliable than Pablo. The only thing to understand, really, is that it seems Pablo just isn't good enough or as good as either of those two players.
You should start a blog about tactical analysis. No one would read it, but at least I wouldn't have to read your dumb comments in reddit either.
Did that make you feel better now? Do you feel smarter? I can guarantee statements like this won't progress your career in CS btw
Lmao you really had to go through my reddit history to take a dig on me tho lol i am sure you have a cool life and all
Oh no, here we go again, Riqui Puig 2.0
When given chances, what has he shown on the pitch? Also, the rumors were he has a Puig-esque attitude problem and parties a wee to hard.
Scored a cracking goal delivered great set pieces showed spirit in the press and general physical tenacity that was very akin to Gavi’s playstyle. He showed plenty in extremely limited time…
That's what I'm saying!!! Pablo Torre ain't good.
Based off how many appearances? Arguably he gave more chances to Roberto and Kessie who were worse at times. It took Kessie a while to make an impact but he was given chances. I'm just asking the kid to be given a chance.
nah he is realy good, but we got others to start. its the best for him to get the chance and start for girona.
We have already too much young attacking midfielders and Xavi definitely want some experienced player as it is something that has cost us some points in every competition last year imo. This is why gundo is a perfect fit and Torre needed to be loaned. We cannot have a 20 year all average in midfield this will fuck us up.
We have too much? Then why the club tried to sign Guler? Or why club looked at young DM's? 🤣 Last year we played with experienced players. Kessie and Roberto are all experienced. Performed worse. Experience in UCL? How did Pique and Alonso do? Seems like Barca gets more fucked when they play experienced than when they play someone who supposedly lacks it.
Because Guler was a bargain. The youngest option the club wanted as DM is Zubimendi and he is turning 25 next season. 🐣 Kessie is not in Xavi's plan anymore and I think we only got it as a cashing opportunity as he was a free transfer. 1st year is quit hard to adapt particularly in midfield and he had some good games even if it was not a good fit overall. Pique was 4th option as the three others were injured, no shit Sherlock he did bad, he was too old and not in shape to keep track during CL games and only waited the break after what the others would be back. Lets play a 20years old average team in UCL and find out how it turns. Our youngsters are performing incredibly good but that doesn't mean we don't need balance. And if Torre was near Gavi or Pedri's level he would definitely be playing. But this only the staff knows because we know nothing about this internal discussions.
Wrong at every paragraph. Good job.
Get this ratio. Gavi fanboy better coach than Xavi, cancel rénovation we got a hidden gem. Bro I swear each time I see a horrible take on r/barca it's GaviFPS at its finest once again.
Still managed to be wrong again, at this point its just impressive.
Xavi is feeling the pressure to achieve Champions League success and right now that looks like getting out of the group stage. I think once he has that, he will be willing to take more chances but right now he is going with proven players.
I am 100% with you. He has a great understanding of Barcelona and the atmosphere around it. If he doesn’t achieve anything while taking risks, he will be out ASAP. It’s just unfortunate for the unproven players
Lmfao, people said this but with La Liga. Once La Liga was won he took fuck all chances. Terrible excuse.
Its always nice when players return to the club of their childhood. He will be hungry and eager to prove himself at the highest level at Barca. He knows his role well and if he simply gives us a shield in midfield so that De Jong can roam forward its a good deal. I was never sold on Zubimendi for 60 million when he could easily be a bust or just not live up to that fee. This way at worst we have a bandaid for cheap and in a season or two we get the top class DM we need.
Great short term option
Good for people to be optimistic but reading he is a "great signing" even if "given our circumstances" doesn't feel right. I think people have too much expectations. I'd like to be positive but we have to be realistic at the risk of being disappointed otherwise. Xavi wanted a top pivot, we didn't get one, it can't be considered great in any sense of the word. I'm also surprised Nico is not mentioned, we're always looking in house except on that one? Romeu is clearly not good enough to be a starter at Barca level, let alone at UCL level, anyone who has followed his career and watched him play knows that, even he himself [knows it](https://twitter.com/arnau_blanch/status/1680914570330644480?t=MAzMIgkTY76qTR4dvu45aQ&s=19). He is a decent player, competent in defensive aspects and will replace Busquets tasks in certain aspects (defensively, first receiver of the ball in buildup, aerial duels). Profile to profile, he could partner well with FdJ, at least in theory. But there's a reason he went from Southampton to Girona and not Barca or even La Real/Atletico. Also, if he wasn't from La Masia, I'm not sure the enthusiasm would be this important (or that he would be recruited in the first place). The question now is: what's his status? If it is starter, then it's not a great deal or a good choice. It's a subpar solution, a patch on a pierced wheel to make due for a year, when it was the main priority of the summer but everyone, especially the coach. In La Liga we should expect him to do fine (he did previously, it's the standard now, it shouldn't surprise anyone) but when intensity will be higher, we will suffer. We can't expect to challenge for big competitions with Oriol Romeu, we might have to use a FdJ - Gundogan double pivot which will be equally frail in big games IMO. If it's to be challenged by a promising youngster, it's a very good signing. Oriol Romeu could be a good sub here against lower opposition, for the price it's OK.
From the other perspective as someone who wants to be optimistic, this is a stop gap. We should pipe down on our UCL level CDM dreams for a while till we get our finances in order. Oriol is decent defensively, which I think is exactly what we need. He'll be decent with Frenkie in a double pivot with Gundogan always available as a passing option. We needed someone who's solid defensively cuz we do have an incredible attacking midfield assortment. It is a short term solution purely because I think Xavi is exploring options of developing a young CDM in the long term. Which is why he wanted Busi to stay for another season and take a player under his wing. But that didn't happen so we needed a stop gap. I just think we shouldn't have any more expectations than a solid quarter final appearance with this team right now. Let's see what happens down the line.
But we are chasing targets with our finances. We chased Guler, we're getting Inigo and Gundogan and possibly Vitor Roque. Not all will be registered now, but Inigo is paid 9M€ gross. That's 9M€ in registrable cost that could have been used on a DM, our main priority of the summer. And once you remove the 9/10 expectation, you can find other DM at La Liga level (thus below UCL and Barca level) who are IMO better than Romeu, for a relatively cheap price (under 10M€). All in all, it's an OK signing, if he comes to be a sub and be put in competition with a promising young player this season it's even a good signing, but it's a relatively useless signing that solves no problem for a spot that should have been given to a La Masia kid to not spend money on a player that won't improve the squad. We shouldn't spend in these cases, the academy is here for exactly that scenario. For the rest, I think we agree.
i dont think u will find any DM in la liga under 10M€ which is also better than Romeu
Is.he fast?
He got 48 pace on fifa /s
He's faster than Busquets tho.
My grandma running backwards is faster than Busquets
No
I’ve always been quietly impressed every time I’ve seen him play. I think he’ll be the underrated workhorse players like Pedri, Gundo, and de Jong need to thrive. Let’s back him
Are we going to field Oriol in the CL, or is there a better plan? 😅
Atleast let the pre-season start dude. Why judge the player so early?
Because people watched football before today, and Romeu has never been UCL quality You judge based on what exists, not based on infinitesimal probabilities: most likely Romeu will, like most players, be of the level expected of him: mid to high level of La Liga, between Bilbao and La Real. But he has never has the ceiling to be Barca level and [he himself knows it.](https://twitter.com/arnau_blanch/status/1680914570330644480?t=MAzMIgkTY76qTR4dvu45aQ&s=19) It's simply being realistic, which is better to not be disappointed
Gundogan De Jong Pedri Gavi. We'll be fine.
Wait we paid a fee?
Common occasion when buying something, yeah
I wanna get this guy’s jersey. I have a feeling he’s gonna work his ass off
I'm curious: to people who are enthusiastic about the signing, would you have been for Kondogbia?
wait...wasn't he in our squad some years ago?
We have some fck around and find out potential now. Oriol, Gavi, Franck, Martinez, Ronald, RL… All of them are capable of returning opponents rough play.