(at the end of the season, Barça Transfer Zone looks forward to the coming transfer summer making an analysis for each position, in part 7 we look at the wing attackers)
2007-2008
On the right wing, Giovani dos Santos (19) got a lot more playing time than expected due to the two serious injuries of Lionel Messi (20). Bojan (17) and Eto'o also moved away from the centre to the right side a few times this season.
First choice on the left wing Ronaldinho (28) had a season full of injuries and was rarely fit and on top of his game. Andrés Iniesta (24) and Thierry Henry (30) were the players who used to replace him. Santiago Ezquerro (31) did not get many opportunities.
Out
Despite interest from Chelsea and Inter, Messi will certainly stay. The situation of Giovani is not clear. He could leave on a loan or a permanent deal. Manchester City, Inter and Chelsea are rumoured to be interested. Both players could also be used more on the left wing next season.
Ronaldinho will most probably leave in the summer. AC Milan is the main candidate for the transfer, with Manchester City and Inter Milan as the most important challengers. The contract of Ezquerro expires in June and the player didn't receive a renewal offer.
In
Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich - 24), who can play on both wings, is probably the main candidate but is very unlikely to leave the German champions after one year. The other name that has been sticking out is left winger David Silva (Valencia - 22).
Further there were rumours about Hatem ben Arfa (Lyon - 22), Diego Capel (Sevilla - 20), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United - 23), Andrés Guardado (Deportivo La Coruña - 21) and Mancini (AS Roma - 27). Gai Assulin (17) could be promoted from the Barcelona B team.
Read all How things stand contributions here or read the contribution about:
Goal keeper - Right back defender - Central defenders - Left back defender - Defensive midfielder - Attacking midfielders - Wing attackers - Centre forward
Sunday, 18 May 2008
How things stand: Wing attackers
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2 comments:
I got a feeling that Giovani will be better playing like a CM. He proved that yesterday. Maybe we should try him there next season, if he stay.
And I won't mind Silva come.
Guardado is not serious even to be talked about.
You hate to make rush to judgements from just one game. But from what we all witnessed yesterday I think it's pretty clear that Dos Santos preferable position is as an attacking midfielder and NOT a winger. What took Frank so long to figure this out I will never know?
It is also abundantly evident that neither Henry or Iniesta can play the winger positions. Henry being a "natural" central striker and Iniesta more comfortable as a forward midfielder.
Ribery's not going anywhere! Unattainable transfer fee aside. He realy seems to have settled in at Bayern and if Klinsmann convinced Lahm to remain onboard because better things are yet to come, wouldn't he be contradicting himself by allowing Ribery to leave? Just doesn't add up.
Of all the remaining possibilities out there, (considering Benzema stays at Lyon which most everyone expects), Ben Arfa could turn out to be the least expensive and easiest target to bring on board. It's no secret the rift between he and Benzema and I don't see them partering together for another term unless a meeting of the minds takes place. I doubt it.
In the end I still feel it's either going to come down to Silva (Barcelona's most likely target) or Guardado (who, I personaly like but most will agree is not on par with Silva...yet.)
I wouldn't mind seeing a "double David" swoop of Villa and Silva from Valencia either. Problem being that if they part with them they are basically admitting they are in a rebuilding mode, and most likely would prefer cold hard cash over a package of player(s) and cash in return.
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