[Albion] Valentín Barco **Signed 20/01/24**

[Gabbiano]

I find this all a bit odd, and remain convinced this won’t happen… on the slim chance he does sign, the expectation that he’ll be starting within a week is (again) unlikely at best.

We’re constantly told that one doesn’t learn De Zerbi ball overnight, and as such I’d expect any player to take weeks to adjust to our famed ‘tactical disposition.’ If a player (a young one at that) is signed from South America the period of personal adjustment is just as challenging… in other words, this idea we’ll offer more game time than City, in the short term, is fanciful.

Hinsh, for example, will be WAY ahead in terms of understanding what Roberto requires, even out of position… so expecting any kid, even a hot prospect to rock up and be holding down a starting position by mid-late Jan is simply not going to be the reality.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d be delighted to see him sign and eventually become a starter (obviously), but that’s FAR more likely to happen by next season in truth.

In reality land I don’t expect him sign, as I still feel we’re being used to drive up things for the player and his agent… and if we do sign a new FB it’ll be someone we’ve not been linked to just yet.

I can believe that were in for him, but that he's not 100% sold yet. Ultimately it comes down to whether

1. He wants to come to us for an opportunity to compete for first team football, particularly now that Estupiñan is back.

2. He wants the money that a Chelsea or City can pay him and is happy to spend a season on loan.

3. He really is that enamoured with Boca that he would sign a new contract and delay his European move (unlikely).

Probably about a 3/10 probability that he actually comes, but a nice thought nonetheless.

Someone posted yesterday that Phillips doesn't get a look in at city because he is too thick to understand how City play and is subsequently uncoachable. I say that in a non-pejorative way because when I played I absolutely had no spatial or tactical awareness, no football 'brain' and was, consequently uncoachable. I think this may be related to the characteristic of possessing a good 'footballing brain'. This is a prized characteristic at Brighton. In contrast I can think of several high profile players who definitely don't have that: Gallagher and Jackson at Chelsea; Fernandes; and the worst of the lot, Marlon Harewood who always shot instead of passing to Zamora, duping the manager into thinking he was better than Zamora because his 'stats' proved it.

This football brain thing is hugely important for RDZ. Players are expected to be reading the situation constantly in order to open up new passing options. This is why RDZ was so mad at Baleba when he was running around like a headless chicken the other week.

I hope Baleba can prove himself to be able to switch on to the system, because he is fast, strong and good in the tackle (although a lot of petty fouling too...), so a great asset for the team.

 

[OzMike]

Not happening, trying to bully Tony, won't work.

 

[um bongo molongo]

I remember reading somewhere that Barco was very loyal to Boca and was willing to sign a new contract to allow them to get a higher fee. I remember it as I remember thinking at that time it seemed far too altruistic for a footballer. But it would be consistent with him signing a new deal and then still being sold. No idea where I read it unfortunately

 

[ConfusedGloryHunter]

That's true, your turn

You can't trick me into doing that

 

[drew]

Probably already mentioned but the real money is in Europe and hopefully he will be speaking to both Facundo and Alexis. I'm sure the latter will put a good word in for us unless of course Liverpool are in the market.

 

[b.w.2.]

Exactly we can and will offer him a better contract than they can

 

[Colonel Mustard]

I heard that Newcastle are going to sign Phillips in the transfer window.

It’s not a question of 'hearing' it. It’s been widely discussed in the media, on podcasts etc. Which isn’t to say it will happen but a number of pundits seem to think a move to Newcastle would suit him well, and with their injuries, would suit Newcastle well too. Seems like a Howe sort of player.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

You can't trick me into doing that

 

[Bakero]

It’s not a question of 'hearing' it. It’s been widely discussed in the media, on podcasts etc.

I imagine he heard it in the media or or a podcast

 

[Papa Lazarou]

I imagine he heard it in the media or or a podcast

I did. One of those.

I can confirm I've not conducted any interviews with Barco, his representatives or Boca, so my info is (at best) 2nd hand.

 

[Stato]

I also think we will use the loan market…the Athletic is running a series on players who need a move this window and it strikes me that someone like Fabio Carvalho.... are loan options worth considering.

Announced on Sky Sports News this afternoon that Liverpool have recalled him from RB Leipzig, unhappy with the lack of playing time he's been getting. If we could get anything like the player they bought from Fulham when they got promoted, he would be a very welcome stop gap whilst we're without Mitoma, Adingra, March, Enciso and perhaps Buonanotte.

 

[Mancgull]

Didn’t Enciso sign a new contract with his club in Paraguay before moving to us about 6 months later?
Re Carvalho, a loan for him as a March, stop gap replacement would make a lot of sense, especially with Adingra out injured. Even if he was back, I think Adingra on the left is his best position so gives back up for Mitoma. Unless Liverpool want him as a back up for Salah with him going to AFCON ?

 

[GT49er]

Didn’t Enciso sign a new contract with his club in Paraguay before moving to us about 6 months later?

Probably - it's perfectly normal. Mac Allister did it before heading off to the WC and eventually Liverpool; Caicedo did it before moving to Chelsea, and I'm fairly sure some of youngsters who we have moved on signed - or we activated - extensions in order to increase the potential fees. James Furlong, for instance, signed a new contract in July and moved out (for an undisclosed fee, of course!) on deadline day less than two months later.

 

[JBizzle]

No idea on the reliability of the source, but...

 

[Hugo Rune]

No idea on the reliability of the source, but...

View attachment 172260

Please Sir, can he bring a friend?

 

[macbeth]

got to get this one done

 

[Hugo Rune]

got to get this one done

Zanetti has piled in. Hopefully it’s close!

“Speaking to TyC Sports, Inter Milan legend Javier Zanetti has backed the versatile player to make a switch to Europe.

“I have seen him, I saw him play several games. He is a careful player, with very good footing. It is not easy to play at Boca and he showed that he was prepared, he always did it with great personality,” he said.

“For good players, if not today, the opportunity will come tomorrow, but they are one of those profiles that can surely have a future in Europe.”

Last month, Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte had urged Barco to join the English club over other options.” Sport Witness.

 

[Clive Walker]

here comes kudos 2.0. buckle up bhafc fans

 

[chickens]

I would like to see this one over the line. He’s certainly got the opportunity to get minutes in the first team, the rest is up to him.

 

[Oh_aye]

No idea on the reliability of the source, but...

View attachment 172260

Always love the reports with 'soon' in them.

Barber just trying to remember where the send button is. Takes a while.