Dani Alves

[M18CTID]

He should turn out to be better than Maicon, but as another poster stated Maicon wasn't quite the disaster that people think and he actually did ok in the main when called upon. I remember one particular game against Spurs at home where he came on in the 2nd half. The Spurs fans got all giddy, thinking Bale was going to tear him a new one as he did in the San Siro a couple of seasons earlier. As it happened, Maicon coped with Bale quite comfortably that day and if anything, looked the more attacking threat and pushed Bale back. We went on to win 2-1 with a late Dzeko winner and that was in no small part down to Maicon's contribution after he came on.

 

[Rammyblues]

If you take all the negative things said against him and IF they are exactly what happens it means Walker will play far more games than was envisaged and in monetary terms it has only cost his wages. If not all the negative things are true but he has lost some of his edge he will still play in the relevant games to his ability and because we paid nothing except wages people might judge that as you get what you pay for. However if he turns in the kind of performances we known he is capable of it will be the bargain of the summer. I believe the risk is worth taking.

 

[RandomJ]

http://bet.unibet.co.uk/football/pr...ave-made-me?mktid=52:5201000022:blog_19062017

Wrote something on Alves and how his imminent signing has divided us Blues.

Good read as usual.

 

[conormcfc]

The entire Juventus team was ran ragged in that game.

I held your opinion a week ago. It's changed as I've looked at it more.

He played very well against Monaco in the CL semi-final. he was MoM and the one thing they have is pace. Had it not have been for leg fracture, he'd have played a lot more games. It is a short term solution, however I think he is at a higher level than Maicon was when maicon arrived. Maicon's career at that time was disrupted by injury.

I hope he proves me wrong, I really do. Just can't see a 34 year old having never played in the league being able to come here and keep up, he's ancient in footballing terms.

I dunno, Maicon left City and went back to the slower pace of Serie A and did really well at Roma for a while longer. Different pace of game over here. Remains to be seen if Alves can adapt but I have huge doubts.

 

[aguerrrroooooooooooo]

What a signing, can't believe we're gonna get him on a free
He's a step up from both Sagna and (dare I say it) Zaba in terms of ability; not to mention he's likely going to be a deputy right back

 

[TFC]

Simple as this for me - would he improve us? Of course. A solid short term signing if it comes off.

 

[Neville Kneville]

If you take all the negative things said against him and IF they are exactly what happens it means Walker will play far more games than was envisaged and in monetary terms it has only cost his wages. If not all the negative things are true but he has lost some of his edge he will still play in the relevant games to his ability and because we paid nothing except wages people might judge that as you get what you pay for. However if he turns in the kind of performances we known he is capable of it will be the bargain of the summer. I believe the risk is worth taking.

He is not just cover for right back, he is also a tactical option.

Late in games Pep has tried to use people like Navas to try & stiffen up the right side (often with mixed results). Alves will be better than Navas at both ends of the pitch.

He could come on & play in front of Walker, for example & is smart enough to cause havoc on the counter attack.

 

[lancs blue]

Not controversial really is it?

Look at Evra. Blowing at of his arse for the last 2 seasons in the prem at United, goes to Juve and looks comfortable week in week out. It's a different pace of game (though probably less technical) and I'm not confident at all he'll adapt at his age.

Any attacking full back can be exposed defensively by pace, Walker included. Alves played as an out and out wing back in the CL Final so his starting position was further forward and he had no cover in front of him, it was Barzagli's job to provide the cover behind Alves. Depending on the opposition I would expect Pep to use him mostly as a full back, so he should have cover in front to help him out in those situations.

 

[conormcfc]

Alves most definitely can compete with high intensity defending, as evidence by his mastery in the Monaco game - Monaco being probably the most intense side we played all season, to the point where they ran themselves into the ground in the first game.

What he couldn't deal with in the final was the fact Isco and Marcelo doubled up on him, and no player in the world is going to successfully defend against those two on their own.

He will be so much better than Maicon you'll laugh at yourself for comparing them by October, I promise you. He's a diffeent class of player all together, much smarter, much more positionally aware, and joining up with the manager who he was most successful with.

Prime for prime Maicon was the one that got in the Brazil team.

I think they're almost replica players. Gung-ho attacking footballers that always have and always will be exposed from time to time.

I hope I do end up laughing at myself.

Real should have been 5 up at half time. We defended like Utd & hit them on the break & they kept missing chances.

I haven't seen a City fullback of any age who would stop Marcelo without about 2 extra helpers, so using that against Alves is unfair imo.

Monaco tore us a new arsehole with pace out wide & Alves was better v them than our fullbacks, or Walker (or the wonderful Trippier).

He is what he is, an attacking fullback. If we want a defender there, we should sign one.

I disagree on the Madrid game. We did play on the counter but I think we were reasonably comfortable to Maicon went off then we just fell apart.

Alves was playing in a back 5 against Monaco, you'd expect him to look more solid than any of the other fullbacks mentioned.

He'll be a good option to rotate against certain teams definitely. Our first choice RB won't be him, or at least I'd hope not.

 

[blueparrot]

He is not just cover for right back, he is also a tactical option.

Late in games Pep has tried to use people like Navas to try & stiffen up the right side (often with mixed results). Alves will be better than Navas at both ends of the pitch.

He could come on & play in front of Walker, for example & is smart enough to cause havoc on the counter attack.

Didn't think this until watching a couple of videos this morning but his passing and vision is good enough to play pivot on occasion too. I've been saying all summer we needed somebody to cover both positions. I didn't think Alves was that player , today I think I was wrong.