Fixing issues to become great

[The only place to be 11,313]

True but could he recreate such a thing with a team whose academy is nothing compared to Barcas? Wouldn't bank on it. He'd probably go on a massive spending spree and sign half the Barca B team...

I actually think our academy is pretty decent. It's not La Masia but there are players coming through who could certainly contribute with the right coaching.

I'd love to see what Guardiola could do with the likes of McEachran, Chalobah and Ake.

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

I actually think our academy is pretty decent. It's not La Masia but there are players coming through who could certainly contribute with the right coaching.

I'd love to see what Guardiola could do with the likes of McEachran, Chalobah and Ake.

Yeah our academy is decent, its had a lot of money invested into it but what Barca had was at least 30 years of work with a philosophy put in place so players would be able to make the jump easily as the teams set up the same (same formation, 4-3-3 and tiki taka style of play) We don't have that instilled. We have good youngsters who could make the jump under good coaching (McEachran, Chalobah, Ake, Feruz, Piazon) but Barca have literally promoted at least 5 players from their youth team each season. Barca had a full homegrown XI out the other night, an impressive stat for you haha, in modern football thats quite rare.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Yeah our academy is decent, its had a lot of money invested into it but what Barca had was at least 30 years of work with a philosophy put in place so players would be able to make the jump easily as the teams set up the same (same formation, 4-3-3 and tiki taka style of play) We don't have that instilled. We have good youngsters who could make the jump under good coaching (McEachran, Chalobah, Ake, Feruz, Piazon) but Barca have literally promoted at least 5 players from their youth team each season. Barca had a full homegrown XI out the other night, an impressive stat for you haha, in modern football thats quite rare.

I don't think we'll ever get there to be honest. I might check later but I'd be curious to see how many of those guys who came into the first team were at Barcelona B in the first place. That type of experience is invaluable whereas we have to hope a player can find gametime at a Championship side who play football similar to us. We got lucky with Josh going to Boro, but you have to wonder if going to a League One team has any value to it.

You're also right about having every age group play the same thing. Formation-wise we seem to have that, which is down to Emenalo and the coaches, but we need that guy at the head of the club who sets the tone for everyone. Again, that could be Guardiola. If there's a chance of getting him, Roman has to let him have input into every team's tactics so that there's consistency in their development.

[OneMoSalah 8,778]

I don't think we'll ever get there to be honest. I might check later but I'd be curious to see how many of those guys who came into the first team were at Barcelona B in the first place. That type of experience is invaluable whereas we have to hope a player can find gametime at a Championship side who play football similar to us. We got lucky with Josh going to Boro, but you have to wonder if going to a League One team has any value to it.

You're also right about having every age group play the same thing. Formation-wise we seem to have that, which is down to Emenalo and the coaches, but we need that guy at the head of the club who sets the tone for everyone. Again, that could be Guardiola. If there's a chance of getting him, Roman has to let him have input into every team's tactics so that there's consistency in their development.

Yeah Barca B is also a great experience for the younger guys, the FA wonder why the England aren't as good as they were before... talented youngsters playing for continental national teams getting experience in B teams. They should fix that. AVB, Wenger and Moyes have all tried already apparently. This u21 bullcrap isn't the answer.

[diskoviolente 425]

When we bought all these small and incesive players I thought that was to lure Pep. All the players that came to the club in the last transfer season are all exactly Pep material, Moses included, starting of with Marin.

I think we shouldn´t read too much into Tixiki joining Man City, they needed a better negotiator, because their last transfer summer wasn´t all that great. I don´t think that Pep will go to City. Pep and Brazil make a good fit: less work compared to Club football, also the type of "Barca" players, interested in a slick footballing philosophy. So I wouldn´t be surprised if we don´t get him in the summer.

What will be done manager-wise I don´t know, but playing wise we obviously need a 20 + goals a season striker and a new DM, because that was our main weakspot conceding goals the way I see it. We don´t concede from set pieces that much, it is more the cut backs to the edge of the area which gave us problems, so we need some more cover in front of the back four. I am just very jealous of Bayern, having Martinez, the guy is absoloutly instrumental in their season so far.

[Manuf 1,448]

Obviously Roman wants Pep to do it. He won 6 trophies in one season at Barca.. imo we need Mourinho again, Pep can't handle big egos.

I hope he gets Pep and realize that without the whole club focused on switching to different style he won't get any results. I have Pep in the same category as AVB, good in one club, nothing exceptional..

[BlueLyon 9,359]

With Barca B (or just LaMassia) success isnt only because of their talent, philosophy or training, but also the fact that they play in Segunda division. Like Chelsea B would play in Championship. I bet we would have 2 new promoted players from youth team every year. But now in England, you cant gain experience as you do in Spain. FA should make something similar, it works.