How many of our players could play for Barca and not bring down the overall quality of their play? This isn't necessarily about saying which of our players are better than theirs, more that which of our players could step in to the Barca team if they suddenly had a massive injury crisis and we could lend them players.
I think...
Vidic could join their defence and look good.
Carrick could join their midfield and look good.
Nani could easily play on their wing.
Rooney (at full fitness ) would have something to offer in and around the front players.
RVP could quite easily lead the line for them.
De Gea could play in goal without looking out of place.
Scholes would easily fit into the Barca style for a game or two.
I'm sure people will dispute one or two of the names in there but when looking at that we're not that far behind in quality? Especially when cases for Kagawa, Rafael and Smalling could be made in a year or two.
Our players in the Barca team?
posted on 5/9/12
Fair enough Grosjean
If you ever get a chance watch him during a game. He's quite effective in his own way. He should be starting for England this Friday so that could be a great chance to see a player eager to impress.
posted on 5/9/12
I didn't think much of him and paid more attention to his theatics rather then his actually play but if you watch him play he is a fantastic player.
--
Thing is can it can be very hard to appreciate low-profile players in deep midfield positions, you need to pay a lot of attention to what they do.
You've got the imposing characters, the Vieras, Keanes, Essiens, Yayas etc., who drive forwards, put in strong challenges, etc. - that's much more immediately visible.
But with guys who defend mainly through positioning, cutting out passing lines and intercepting rather than putting in tackles, and then only have the ball a second at a time because what they do is keep it moving - then it's easy for them to go under the radar. They might do the right thing 100 times in a game and you could still not notice them.
To an extent, it's what happened for many years with Xavi, and why Scholes was under-appreciated for long spells in his career.
You need a lot of time to watch a lot of football, and I haven't had that for a long time.
posted on 6/9/12
Smalling, Vidic no doubt.
Scholes in his prime would out shine their mf.
Van Persie, would be brutal in that slow paced league.
Probably in a couple of yrs, Raffa could offer Alves a run for his money.
Evra 3 seasons ago would have been a good shout.
Rooney, just can't see it but maybe a change of team & League would see him out of his comfort zone, may do him wonders. The protential is there but.....
Nani would have to be on-form all the time.
Kagawa on as a good mf sub at best!
Hernadez would be the perfect super sub for them.
posted on 6/9/12
Lets be honest...
....only RVP and De Gea would
Everyone else would make the bench.
posted on 6/9/12
Smalling would because he's a good footballer.
posted on 7/9/12
Rooney wont even make their bench.
Evans, Rafa, Nani, De Gea, RVP and maybe Kagawa and Carrick could do a job.
posted on 7/9/12
Red
I don't know if you were like so many of the other people who wrote on this but didn't read the article but I was asking if say, Busquets was injured would Carrick be able to come in and not make them any weaker and so on. Like Evans for Puyol, Nani for Pedro etc.
On that basis do you think that say with Barca's first choice 11 minus Busquets but plus Carrick would there be a reduction in quality in your eyes?
posted on 7/9/12
TRC isnt a fan of Busquets or Pedro so he'd probably agree with you.
posted on 7/9/12
Trini/Saint is right. I don't rate Busquets, infact i think his role is redundant.
There are many Busquets all over Spain. He is just lucky he plays for Barca.
So on this issue, i agree with you funrob. But one thing Busquets is better than Carrick is 'dynamism'. Carrick can be ponderous on the ball and i think it might be an issue for Barca's pressing game.
posted on 7/9/12
Fair enough Red Con
