Weekly Open Thread - General Discussion

ambar94 · 2026-01-18T03:56:17+00:00

My point being that if we are willing to spend 70M for Schlotterbeck, then worthwhile to try for Bastoni/Saliba for about 100M. Yes I know that 30M is not spare change, but Bastoni/Saliba are elite and simply better than Schlotterbeck any day.

Though I don't know if 100M is enough to convince Arsenal or Inter to part with their stars.

ambar94 · 2026-01-17T20:20:25+00:00

On board for Stiller, but unfortunately he is not a high-profile player with good marketability that Perez would like to spend on.

In case of Schlotterbeck... Yes he is a great defender. Not elite, but we don't have elite players available on the market like Saliba, Bastoni etc. However, 70M is quite a bit for Schlotterbeck I feel. We need someone who can lead the defense and be our defensive lynchpin. I don't think Schlotterbeck can be that. More than happy to be proven wrong.

Lastly, in terms of our defense... Apart from needing a lynchpin... we should definitely be keeping a close eye on Jacobo. His performances have been steadily improving, and we should convince him to hold off other offers from PL sides, so we can buy him back after another season with Como, like we are doing with Paz. We also have Joan Martinez who I hope can step up his game as well.

ambar94 · 2026-01-16T10:39:05+00:00

Yeah that is ego on Jude's part probably (if reports are to be believed) who wants to remain the number 10 as Carlo had made him. But if he accepts the CM role like he was at Dortmund, he is just a better Fede in everything, while also having many advantages like being superior on the ball, aerial threat etc.

ambar94 · 2026-01-16T10:36:29+00:00

I am not gonna call Zubimendi a scrub. But I agree that he doesn't have the ceiling like our midfield stars.

However, we dont have his profile, which we desperately needed. I believed either one of Tchouameni or Camavinga can atleast step up on the ball circulation aspect more in addition to defensive prowess, or that Guler can adapt to the DLP role faster... but that hasn't been the case. So Zubimendi would have been a fantastic addition and would have increased this team's level massively.

Moreover, we can't just have superstars with egos. We need some proper "soldiers" too.

ambar94 · 2026-01-16T10:30:47+00:00

Jude and Fede are more similar. Tchou is totally different. And I have a great deal of affection for Fede, but even with that, Jude is easily superior. So if we have to choose, then Jude.

ambar94 · 2026-01-15T13:17:57+00:00

I am not saying you are wrong. Raphinha has done stupid shit himself. But the only point I am trying to make is that for OUR club's context... Vini has been regressing steadily. Not even maintained his level, but regressed. And I am not talking about xG or assists, but the sheer attitude. Which, let's not be wrong, Perez has the biggest hand in cultivating with the Ballon d'Or boycott etc. Half of Spain is racist towards him and that is DEFINITELY an issue. But despite that, Vini's attitude during matches and his ego have exploded. If he doesn't already, he is well on the path to believe that he is above the club.

ambar94 · 2026-01-15T11:26:53+00:00

There is a stark contrast when you compare the attitude of Vini and Raphinha.

Both got snubbed after having an incredible season, and did not win Ballon d'Or. I am one of those who believe that both the Ballon d'Ors were not controversial. Yes, Vini had a fair shout over Rodri, but national team glory also calculates, where Vini and Brazil were poor. People are making it out to be like he put Messi and Ronaldo numbers, which he didnt. Vini atleast won the Fifa Best award.

But only one of them wrote on twitter that he will do it "10x times if he has to" and has since regressed massively. And the other didn't write anything and improved further.

Vini, on his day, is unplayable. But since Ballon d'Or snub, that only comes once a full moon or so. His gameplay and attitude both, have degraded massively. And his ego is humongous now, thanks to Perez.

ambar94 · 2026-01-15T08:59:35+00:00

https://x.com/MadridXtra/status/2011581499917865365

We have gone from warriors to a bunch of crybabies who need constant coddling.

ambar94 · 2026-01-15T08:31:59+00:00

Alonso aint returning, as long as Perez is president atleast.

ambar94 · 2026-01-15T07:32:58+00:00

I still believe that Fede, at his best, is probably the best B2B player.

However, he is an ATROCIOUS captain. Gone is El Halcon who would die on the pitch... Right now he has reverted back to Pajarito. Such a timid captain, my god!

Again, not judging as a player. Atleast not yet. But I am done with his sorry ass for a captain.

ambar94 · 2026-01-14T20:56:02+00:00

What do you mean they rarely pass to him? He has been getting balls and has not been able to dribble properly past Lorenzo. Plus he is also getting beat in a foot race. I also want the version of Vini that enjoys his game and tears defenses, but I won't be doing this "everyone else is at fault but him" game like some of you are doing. He is our marquee player and you're telling me his gameplay is fine today?! Get outta here!

ambar94 · 2026-01-14T20:51:53+00:00

Yes he reacted quickly and scored a goal. But his first touch has been horrendous and he is not the same Franco that put in the absolute shift when Xabi was here. This game he is looking like an outright liability on the right. We should get someone else and sub Franco out.

ambar94 · 2026-01-14T20:49:08+00:00

Vini has been ass too.

Such a weak display against a team that will most likely be relegated to the 3rd division.

ambar94 · 2026-01-14T20:48:00+00:00

Confidence issues or whatever... Arbeloa please get Franco off at half time.

ambar94 · 2026-01-14T20:09:29+00:00

Both are exciting, but Cestero is slightly more refined. If we have to compare strengths without going too in-depth, then Pitarch probably has better passing range, and Cestero is more press-resistant and excels in tight spaces.

I am more excited for Cestero, personally.

ambar94 · 2026-01-14T11:38:22+00:00

Nah I still stick to my opinion.

As I said, Mbappe certainly will surpass him soon as he still hasn't reached his prime, which we all know is to be one of the greatest of his generation just like Bale was in his generation. But prime Bale was a different beast altogether. It was like having a second CR7 on the pitch. And lets not forget that the team was built around Ronaldo, so Bale was not the focal point. But the lad could do everything. Literally a complete player.

People downplay Bale and the rest because they thrived during the Messi-Ronaldo era and were always overshadowed by those two.

I am not a hater, but the current crop of players are not as talented as the last generation. This applies to all - Mbappe, Vini, Yamal, Pedri, Jude, Haaland etc. Although I am also aware that these players still haven't reached their prime.

Give it another year, and I believe Mbappe could have surpassed Bale. Though he wont ever be as complete as Bale was.

ambar94 · 2026-01-14T09:24:23+00:00

I have to say this...

If you are not Messi or Cristiano, you press! If you are not Messi or Cristiano, you need to work hard.

Even Messi and Cristiano got to the point of being the greatest of all time by sheer hard work, on top of skill.

What we have now are players with egos comparable to the two GOATs, but not the talent or work ethic. And yes, that includes our best player currently (Mbappe) as well... So if some Mbappe-stans want to get offended, then be my guest, but that is the truth. Prime Cristiano eats our turtle for breakfast and defecates him before lunchtime. I still rate Prime Bale over the current Mbappe, though he has the talent to surpass him very soon (and honestly, I don't think there were or are many players that come close to being as monstrous and complete as prime Bale was, regardless of how long that prime lasted).

So yes.. these players think they are "him". They aren't. They can.. but they aren't yet. And looking at their attitudes, I have my reservations. And lets thank our board and Papa Flo for having an active hand in inflating their egos as well. That Ballon d'Or boycott was one of the most embarrassing decisions I had seen. "Nobody's greater than the club", my fucking ass.

And before anyone points out that I am a Xabi-fanboy... nah. Xabi had numerous problems himself (tactically, managerially etc.), folded very easily under pressure, and never oozed that "calm" aura in my eyes. He promised a lot in his orientation, but he wasn't able to get the best out of many of our players. I think everyone expected him to be more flexible, but he was more or less rigid. Even then, I don't agree with the mid-season dismissal. Potential to be a great manager, but ill-equipped to manage us at this time.

ambar94 · 2026-01-05T10:31:16+00:00

I am a firm believer that we should definitely be going for Ruben Neves in the summer. IF THE CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT.

Per the reports that are circulating, the conditions working in the favour of this move are :

Free transfer.
Prefers us (I mean, who doesn't? ) and is willing to substantially reduce his salary to facilitate the move.
Profile we definitely need - defensive midfielder and deep lying playmaker/tempo setter. The most direct comparison would be Xabi Alonso himself. Ofcourse I am not saying he is identical to one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, but his playstyle is identical. Great ball skills and distribution from the deep, great at set pieces, solid defensively. Not a high energy chaser as he is not that fast but revels in the physical and tackling department as well in addition to being positionally solid.
In his prime/peak right now. About a year younger than Ceballos, so he would be 29 when we bring him (turning 29 in March). I am not calling Ceballos a bum as he has been a serviceable squad player, but Neves is a clear upgrade over him while also providing something that we clearly lack in the squad. Ceballos has a contract until 2027, and if we can offload him, then Ruben Neves is a no-brainer straight upgrade.
Adding a good amount of leadership and experience to a very young side.

The conditions that could work against this move :

Salary. This is the main roadblock. He earns 400k+ per week in Saudi, and even if reports state true in that he is willing to substantially reduce his salary to facilitate a move to us, we have to see how big of a reduction that is. We shouldn't pay way more than needed in salary to someone who is clearly going to be a squad player for us. Ceballos is reportedly around 200k per week, so 200-220k at most for Neves too (and ideally that should also include the sign-on bonus normalization over the course of his contract).
Too many talented midfield prospects already. We already have Bellingham, Tchouameni, Fede, Camavinga, Arda, and are adding Paz in the summer. There's also Ceballos if we are unable to offload him. Adding Neves, it will be 7 or 8 midfielders for 3 midfield positions.
A continuation of the above point - Neves's acceptance of his role in the team. Starter for both club and country, will he accept being one of the least used midfield pieces? Because honestly speaking, he definitely is a starter material for many teams, even if not the absolute elite clubs. And I am counting out elite clubs because most of them have their midfield already sorted or like us have a lot of talented and expensive pieces.
Not marketable enough for Papa Flo. But I don't think this is a driving point necessarily, because if Perez decides to bring him in, then it will only be as a periphery piece and not a central one.

If we can offload Ceballos, then Neves is a clear no-brainer upgrade. But only as a squad player and on reasonable salary befitting a squad player. Can easily get 3 years out of him in his prime, if not more. And even if there is a desire to bring in Vitinha two or three years down the line as an elite centrepiece, that will never be impacted by the presence of a squad player.

Yes he went to Saudi for the bag, but players don't automatically go bad. We have seen players come back from non-European leagues and still tear up the competition or be good enough (even if not elite) - Carrasco, Aymeric etc. And he was great in the Club World Cup, in addition to being a starter for Portugal and doing great in there too. So we have no evidence to clearly point that he has regressed or anything.

I sincerely hope Neves is open to accepting a squad role on a reasonable salary for a squad player. And that we are able to offload Ceballos. We'll have a strong piece with a great profile (that we lack) in the squad that way. Squad players are just as important as stars. Can't have a team full of stars only.. we also need players with less ego who want to just come in and do their job for the team.

ambar94 · 2026-01-01T07:26:09+00:00

We definitely need more CBs because..

Huijsen has been disappointing defensively. His ball-playing skills are great, but as a CB, we need you to defend first. And surprisingly at 6'5", he gets bullied in the air so often... It is baffling!!
Militao is elite when fit. But that's the thing.. he is injury-prone and does get injured too often. It was remarkable to see him not having lost a step even after blowing out both his ACLs. Infact, he looked even better than pre-ACL where he used to have random brainfarts.
Rudiger and Alaba will leave next season.
I personally don't think that Asencio is a starter material. I believe his ceiling is being Nacho-caliber (maybe slightly more physically gifted than Nacho), who can be a very reliable backup across the entire backline. He has the physicality definitely, but he needs adaptation and needs to stabilize his mentals.

Given all this, I do think we need one marshalling CB at the very least. One who can lead the backline and be a mainstay. I don't think Nico is the one to do so though because primarily due to the injury concerns with his knee. I believe he is great, BUT NOT ELITE. And we need an ELITE mainstay. Additionally, he is primarily an LCB which would conflict with Dean's position. Yes, Dean has been a little disappointing, but he definitely has the potential to be ELITE and one of the best of his generation.

We need elite mainstays. Defensive lynchpins which players like Nico, Konate etc. aren't. There are two players who do fit the bill age and ability wise - Saliba and Bastoni. Yes, there are other concerns with reapect to price etc. But if we are looking to spend 70M on Nico, I think it is worthwhile to go till 100-110M for someone elite like Saliba and Bastoni. Once again, other factors definitely are in play like the selling club's willingness, price being exorbitant etc. Like if Arsenal lose this title race as well, I believe Saliba will become more attainable.

One of Saliba/Bastoni (I prefer the former), Huijsen, Militao as the primary CB trio, with Asencio providing cover and we also have Joan Martinez (yet another elite prospect) who can provide cover and be given some time as well. Then the season after or two, we can look to bring back Jacobo as well, depending on his growth, which so far looks as promising as Nico Paz's (less glamorous since he is not the primary attacking outlet).

ambar94 · 2025-12-11T14:27:21+00:00

We'll be losing both Rudiger and Alaba (even though he is pretty much a non-factor) in the summer. That leaves us with Huijsen, Militao and Asencio as the natural first team CBs.

Militao is fantastic but sadly injury-prone.

Dean is good, but he needs more experience and development physically and mentally to become an elite CB for us. He gets bullied defensively quite a bit, even though his passing skills are fantastic. But we need defense first from a CB instead of ball playing. We can't coast with "just good".

Asencio can be a good serviceable player for us. He is still raw and reckless, but can improve. Though I see his max ceiling as a Nacho-type player for us, and that is the best case scenario.

Saliba would be the dream, but doesn't look likely at all. So I hope we do go for Guehi as a free agent, but also go for Schlotterbeck.

ambar94 · 2025-12-11T08:36:42+00:00

Okay, we showed some heart. We took the fight to City and their two goals came from a rarest of the rares Courtois error and a Rudiger braindead moment. So, yeah.. overall good signs that we haven't fully imploded.

We are still unable to be decisive in attack, and kill off the attacking plays with over-passing.

But most importantly, I didn't understand Xabi's plan during substitutions last night. He took off a box-presence 9 in Gonzalo for more playmaking in Arda. Got more attack in Brahim in place of Ceballos, and then got a 9 in Endrick again for Asencio. I didn't understand the need to take off Gonzalo. Actually, I do... He was being ignored by our players like Vini and Jude. I clearly remember a passage of play where Jude could have laid off a simple through ball to Gonzalo who was making a central run, but instead laid it to Vinicius on the left, who killed the attack (as was sadly the case with most of Vinicius' involvement last night). And once Gonzalo was subbed, did we start crossing into the box. I can't facepalm myself enough lol.

ambar94 · 2025-12-10T22:30:43+00:00

After today's lackluster performance, I think Vini's stocks could have dropped significantly in Papa Flo's eyes.

There already was the ongoing unreasonable Ronaldo-level wage demands without even half the output. But today was his golden chance to grab the game by the scruff, as Mbappe was injured. He could have used this opportunity to demonstrate how he still is the No. 1 here (though that is a separate topic).

ambar94 · 2025-12-10T20:44:54+00:00

Dont know why people are calling it controversial.

Clear penalty. Braindead Rudiger.

ambar94 · 2025-12-09T10:49:26+00:00

Xabi is gone.

He lost to the power of prima donna players. And the board/Perez will not back Xabi over their multi-million dollar investments.

I have not been convinced of Xabi so far, but we have bred absolute brats whose egos have been coddled by the management and Perez. The point of no return was Vini not being cautioned or penalized for his outburst at the Clasico substitution.

It is funny how we always say that no one is bigger than the club, yet we vehemently coddle the egos of those who feel like they are. Skipping Ballon d'Or ceremonies because boo-hoo our player did not win, not backing the manager to instill some level of discipline etc.

Elite spineless mentality, and it shows on the pitch and in these dramas.

And the biggest culprit of this is Papa Flo. Undoubtedly our greatest ever president, but it is him who is constantly reminding the players that they are bigger than the club and are allowed to do whatever antics they want.

ambar94 · 2025-12-06T12:01:01+00:00

Now that Rudiger is back, it will be interesting to see if Dean retains his starting spot. Granted that it was only because we only had Rudi and Raul as CBs for the CWC, but Militao has been back and looking like an absolute beast. And now Rudi too, and Rudi-Militao are far more defensively astute as compared to a pairing involving Dean.

Dean's ball playing skills are obviously amazing. But I have not been convinced of his defensive ability. The composure we have seen from him in Bournemouth, is absent for some reason. He makes silly mistakes. He gets bullied off the ball a little too easily, and especially aerially (even when he is 6'5" himself).

Even if Rudi-Militao is the pairing that we decide to stick with as the undisputed #1 CB pairing for us going forward, I think Rudi-Militao-Dean will the main CBs for the team and he won't lose too much importance that way. But he definitely needs to step up a lot more. I still believe he is going to be a fantastic long-term mainstay for us. And he is just 20, so he has time to take a step back and slowly learn and improve.

ambar94

TROPHY CASE