Lionel Messi | Joins Inter Miami (pg4111)

[Dax777]

And yet it never seemed to worry Pep when he didn't track back at Barca.

He did when he was younger. The biggest problem with Barca now is that they don't work as hard off the ball as they do with it. Its a malaise that started with Messi 2-3 years ago and slowly it has permeated the squad.

 

[BlueAnorak]

You watch him and he doesn't do the pressing that pep wants he stands around a lot like Kinky did until they got given the ball and lights up the game.
Commercially for the club a brilliant signing on the pitch not so sure.

This.
Mind you he doesn't rely on pace, scores a lot (even when not in games) and takes two opposition players out of the game to mark him (a trade off that Pep could live with), so it could be a good move - especially if the refs give him some protection against the cloggers.
We also might be buying him so as to pack him off to New York after a couple of seasons.

We need a keeper, full backs and a quality DM first mind.

 

[Dax777]

If we buy Messi, I'd consider playing him at Silva's current position and drop Silva into the DM position.

 

[Fuzzy80]

If we signed him we would be treated so differently by the Premier League and SKY as we would instantly become a valuable team to do well.

 

[Akiva]

You watch him and he doesn't do the pressing that pep wants he stands around a lot like Kinky did until they got given the ball and lights up the game.

That's the way Enrique plays him, and Enrique's style as a whole (forgoing tiki taka in favour of a more direct style from back to front) and you can see it in other players too.

People who think Messi wouldn't work in Pep's system both grossly underestimate Messi and Pep.

We won't get him, but believe me the club would pay any price to make it happen if the chance came about. He's that good.

 

[aguero93:20]

We need a keeper,

Going off yesterday we don't, Bravo played well.

 

[gomer27]

To the people saying Messi wouldn't work in our system you have to be on drugs

 

[BlueAnorak]

Going off yesterday we don't, Bravo played well.

"Well" is rather over egging the pudding. He flapped at crosses on a couple of occasions.
He is also incapable of saving one-on-one chances or indeed any half decent running shot (attacker along side defender ruining in on goal) which for both he doesn't get off his line quickly to narrow the angles or make himself big.

 

[Charlesfarsbar]

He won't be playing in the wing as he does now , he will be playing the false 9

He's is the best false nine of all time , so I think he would be alright in our system

He's a goal scoring David silva

He's aguero with playmaking ability

 

[Phil1]

Haha! Poor Bravo even managing to get stick on a Messi thread.