Big risk expecting Rodri to drop into CB imo. Coupled with Stones somewhat erratic form we are playing with fire in not signing a specialist CB.
Yeah, we just signed Rodri to have him fill in at CBWe wouldn't be though.
Right now it would be Stones, Otamendi, Laporte & 4 or 5 potential fill in options for the 4th spot.
IF we get a transfer ban, it would be those options plus the kids a year older, maybe Sandler & Rodri having had a whole year to find out if he can do it.
A brand new cb might actually be worse than all of them for a year anyhow, whilst he learns the style.
Big risk expecting Rodri to drop into CB imo. Coupled with Stones somewhat erratic form we are playing with fire in not signing a specialist CB.
Last season, many expected Vinny to be unavailable for most of it, some even suggesting he should have retired & use a kid to replace him.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Rodri in midfield with Fernandinho at CB at times.Pep did play Busquets at centre on occasion so Rodri playing there isn’t out of the question.
Not forgetting yayaPep did play Busquets at centre on occasion so Rodri playing there isn’t out of the question.
And javi MartinezNot forgetting yaya
I think a lot of the comments here are quite harsh on Stones. i.e, Pep doesnt trust him, he's lost form, not first choice, etc etc. Is all that because Pep chose to plav VK in the last 5 games of the season? At which point he must have known vinnie's decision to leave, and gave him the send-off he deserves? So many i know were surprised and anxious every one of those 5 games VK started, and openly argued it should be Stones. Including myself for a few of those (particularly consecutive) games. Up until then however, Stones was first choice with Laporte and did really well, more or less all season and the last one too (partnering Ota a good chunk of it).
Ok i know he makes a big error every now and then, but which of our defenders don't? Even VK has a howler in him, and his timing with tackling is so often a bawhair away from a straight red. Ditto Nico. Laporte looks the most composed, but he makes mistakes too (i.e CL spurs at home). I myself can't see Maguire being first choice over Stones if we did go on to sign him. And i wouldn't say there is any problem with his form, quality or attitude.
When he's about 33 yeah, but are you really suggesting we've splashed out on one of the up and coming midfielders just to stick him as emergency centre half if need be?Pep did play Busquets at centre on occasion so Rodri playing there isn’t out of the question.
Exactly. Pep is a serial winner, not a sentimentalistPep played VK in those games because he thought he was the best option. No way he played him to give him a nice send-off !
Last season, many expected Vinny to be unavailable for most of it, some even suggesting he should have retired & use a kid to replace him.
Pep played VK in those games because he thought he was the best option. No way he played him to give him a nice send-off !
Lucky not to be sent off against whom?I don't believe that. I honestly really don't. Based on the (cleverly cagey) comments coming out from both at the time, and the fact that Pep had 3 seasons to start VK five times in a row and never really attempted it. This is the man that was willing to risk losing the champions leagur final to give Abidal a send-off (Pep's words, not mine). For me, he played vinnie in his last games for the club. It so happened to be the best footballing decision as well (if we accept the couple moments he was lucky not to get sent off). But the personal reasons must have come into it, if we know Pep at all.
But that's what i believe, i appreciate you may disagree. Still doesnt make Stones a terrible or useless defender, given how well he has done for us overall last two seasons. Which was my main point.
I don't believe that. I honestly really don't. Based on the (cleverly cagey) comments coming out from both at the time, and the fact that Pep had 3 seasons to start VK five times in a row and never really attempted it. This is the man that was willing to risk losing the champions leagur final to give Abidal a send-off (Pep's words, not mine). For me, he played vinnie in his last games for the club. It so happened to be the best footballing decision as well (if we accept the couple moments he was lucky not to get sent off). But the personal reasons must have come into it, if we know Pep at all.
But that's what i believe, i appreciate you may disagree. Still doesnt make Stones a terrible or useless defender, given how well he has done for us overall last two seasons. Which was my main point.