[irishturkey]

Originally Posted by Davaeo09

If Villa was to sign, and Barca decided to hang on to Ibra for another season, would it really be that bad?

I think, Ibra + Toure + Marquez to Arsenal for Cesc might be on the cards... call me stupid but lets wait and see what actually happens..

Won't call you stupid but... Ibra's wages, Toure's wages and Marquez's wages added up isn't cheap... and Arsenal don't tend to blow lots of money on very much at all apart from their stadium... so that suggestion is... naive to say the least.

[Warper]

I cant see Ibra agreeing to go to Arsenal - that is bull. Unless someone can match his wages he is going nowhere and Arsenal would be a step backwards for him anyways. He still has to prove to himself at Barca and has a lot to offer next season. Barca needs 2 world-class strikers and I hope he stays.

On Revista La Liga last night Guillem was saying that Barca will probably pay around £30m for Fabs as they know he wants to move so will play on that. I dont know if Toure is on top of that but either way that would be a good deal for Barca. Fabregas is still young and can only get better at Barca. Villa and Fabs is excellent business.

They were also talking about perhaps Lampard and Ashley Cole moving to Madrid as it looks a done deal that Mourinho is going to Real.

[redout]

Originally Posted by tdv123

-------Holding Mid-------

----Xavi---------Cesc----

Messi---------------Iniesta

----------Villa----------

I would guess. Well if Ibra couldnt get in ahead of Bojan or Pedro I cant see him getting in ahead of anyone in the above team.

I dont see Villa becoming an automatic starter nor do I foresee Ibra being sold. The whole point of buying Ibra was to replace the out an out striker Eto'o by giving Barca a different type of attacking option. By selling Ibra and sticking in Villa they just revert to what they had under Eto'o. Its a non-starter in my opinion. I would take anything out of Guillems mouth with a very large pinch of salt to be honest. Also on Ibra's wages Arsenal would have to pay him an even higher gross than Barca as the EPL has a 50% tax rate whereas Ibra was in before la liga increased the rate which is still being disputed so he only pays about 20% or could be slightly less. It is the sole reason how Barca and especially Real can pay exorbitant wages that the EPL cannot match.

[Ush1]

Originally Posted by redout

I dont see Villa becoming an automatic starter nor do I foresee Ibra being sold. The whole point of buying Ibra was to replace the out an out striker Eto'o by giving Barca a different type of attacking option. By selling Ibra and sticking in Villa they just revert to what they had under Eto'o. Its a non-starter in my opinion. I would take anything out of Guillems mouth with a very large pinch of salt to be honest. Also on Ibra's wages Arsenal would have to pay him an even higher gross than Barca as the EPL has a 50% tax rate whereas Ibra was in before la liga increased the rate which is still being disputed so he only pays about 20% or could be slightly less. It is the sole reason how Barca and especially Real can pay exorbitant wages that the EPL cannot match.

But that other option being Ibra sadly hasn't worked very well this season. The Inter Milan game as an example of Pep losing some faith.

As much as I like Ibra the team look more fluid and mobile with Bojan up top. It'll look even better with Villa and yes, it will be the same system as when Eto'o was there. But the reason Ibra was brought in was to give them that different option and I'm not sure he can provide it.

If Barca are up against a defensive team such as Inter and Ibra is taken off and couldn't make much of a difference that shows really. I think many thought because of his size you could punt a long ball in a tight game and he will do something but that was never really his game in Italy. He usually wasn't even the focal point of attack, he often came deep to link up play.

I think Ibra may stay but I don't think he has become what most thought he might when signed.

[gimmick]

Originally Posted by redout

I dont see Villa becoming an automatic starter nor do I foresee Ibra being sold.

Do you see Ibra as 1st choice for when the new season kicks off despite being clearly 2nd choice for the last month of the season just finished?

I reckon he will be plan B if anything.

[redout]

Originally Posted by Ush1

But that other option being Ibra sadly hasn't worked very well this season. The Inter Milan game as an example of Pep losing some faith.

As much as I like Ibra the team look more fluid and mobile with Bojan up top. It'll look even better with Villa and yes, it will be the same system as when Eto'o was there. But the reason Ibra was brought in was to give them that different option and I'm not sure he can provide it.

If Barca are up against a defensive team such as Inter and Ibra is taken off and couldn't make much of a difference that shows really. I think many thought because of his size you could punt a long ball in a tight game and he will do something but that was never really his game in Italy. He usually wasn't even the focal point of attack, he often came deep to link up play.

I think Ibra may stay but I don't think he has become what most thought he might when signed.

He came with a lot of expectation but I think many people had the wrong idea about him. People were expecting bucket loads of goals and good link up play. A lot people thought he was to be a direct replacement for Eto'o but that was not his intended purpose. He has never been throughout his whole career a pure out an out striker. I cant fault him too much to be honest. We all saw in the first half of the season that he can work extremely well in the Barca setup. It was only after Xmas that he started to look out of sorts. His stats for the season stand up quite well in my opinion.

41 apps
21 goals
10 assists

He has a ratio of a goal every two games and his assists are respectable. For a forward whose role is not an out an out I would be pleased with that contribution to be honest. He had some performances were his finishing was poor but he seems to be a confidence player. We saw when Messi gave him the peno against Zaragoza he then went on to score five times over the next four games. I wouldnt write him off and cannot accept he had a poor season when you look at it as a whole and not just after Xmas.

[redout]

Originally Posted by gimmick

Do you see Ibra as 1st choice for when the new season kicks off despite being clearly 2nd choice for the last month of the season just finished?

I reckon he will be plan B if anything.

I dont see a first a choice. I think Pep will rotate depending on who the opposition are. Villa brings his own problems to the table as he doesnt do a great deal of tracking back compared to what Eto'o did so if he is to play the same role you already a problem that needs addressing. As I said it will depend on the opposition I reckon.

[gimmick]

http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/engli...519111099.html

Villa done deal. €40m

[redout]

Originally Posted by gimmick

http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/engli...519111099.html

Villa done deal. €40m

Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!

[Headshot]

Originally Posted by gimmick

http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/engli...519111099.html

Villa done deal. €40m

ye are turning into a miniature real madrid

ye waste, how much 70m on ibra and when he flops barca get villa, poor bojan doesnt have a chance to succeed at barca

[Ush1]

Originally Posted by redout

He came with a lot of expectation but I think many people had the wrong idea about him. People were expecting bucket loads of goals and good link up play. A lot people thought he was to be a direct replacement for Eto'o but that was not his intended purpose. He has never been throughout his whole career a pure out an out striker. I cant fault him too much to be honest. We all saw in the first half of the season that he can work extremely well in the Barca setup. It was only after Xmas that he started to look out of sorts. His stats for the season stand up quite well in my opinion.

41 apps
21 goals
10 assists

He has a ratio of a goal every two games and his assists are respectable. For a forward whose role is not an out an out I would be pleased with that contribution to be honest. He had some performances were his finishing was poor but he seems to be a confidence player. We saw when Messi gave him the peno against Zaragoza he then went on to score five times over the next four games. I wouldnt write him off and cannot accept he had a poor season when you look at it as a whole and not just after Xmas.

I agree and don't think he has had a poor season really. I just don't think he has become that "other option" that most thought he would be.

[gimmick]

And its a double bit of good news as Bojans name is not mentioned as part of any swaps.

Great this is done before the world cup as well so his price is not inflated any more than it needs to be.

Originally Posted by Headshot

ye are turning into a miniature real madrid

ye waste, how much 70m on ibra and when he flops barca get villa, poor bojan doesnt have a chance to succeed at barca

Sorry now, but thats rubbish. Ibra has not flopped. See redouts stats above.

Bojan will be given plenty chance next season. Pep is merely assembling a squad to make an assault on all 3 fronts. He does not want Messi playing as often as he did this season. he also does not want to put the pressure on Bojan as the main striker.

In fact, this is a good move for Bojans progress as he will learn more from Villa than what he ever will from Ibra.

Incredible striking options.

[Ush1]

Originally Posted by Headshot

ye are turning into a miniature real madrid

ye waste, how much 70m on ibra and when he flops barca get villa, poor bojan doesnt have a chance to succeed at barca

Miniature Real Madrid?

Last game of the season I think had 7 players who came through the youth system starting.

Bojan will be given chances, he's still very young.

[redout]

It is a 4yr deal with an option for one more.

[Headshot]

Originally Posted by gimmick

Sorry now, but thats rubbish. Ibra has not flopped. See redouts stats above.

Bojan will be given plenty chance next season. Pep is merely assembling a squad to make an assault on all 3 fronts. He does not want Messi playing as often as he did this season. he also does not want to put the pressure on Bojan as the main striker.

In fact, this is a good move for Bojans progress as he will learn more from Villa than what he ever will from Ibra.

Incredible striking options.

not rubbish

when a player has a bad season at real madrid they sell them off
the same will be done with ibra

on 3 fronts you say, you honestly think all those players will be happy to sit on the bench ?

bojan will learn more from playing than he would from villa, its a pity he wont be getting that game time anymore