Ibrahim Afellay

[voxy28]

On loan with a view to a permenant, we would be mad not to consider it.

After his ill-fated loan spell at Schalke, Ibrahim Afellay says he wants another chance to impress at Barcelona.
The Dutch international joined the Bundesliga outfit on loan in August 2012 but made just 10 appearances following a knee injury that curtailed his season before the winter break. Consequently, the Germans were forced to shelve their option of purchasing him on a permanent deal.
The 27-year-old midfielder joined Barca from PSV in December 2010 for a reported fee of around €3m, but a cruciate ligament injury suffered in training nine months later meant he was sidelined for the next seven months.
However, Afellay was in Barcelona on Thursday and his agent Rob Jansen told Mundo Deportivo that the player hoped to pick up his career with the Spanish giants.
“Afellay’s contract with Barca runs until 2015 and he is going nowhere,” said Jansen.
Even so, it is believed that ‘Ibi’ does not enter into Tito Vilanova’s plans for next term and if there is a shortage of offers he may have to consider another loan deal.

 

[michaelden]

I thought his knee injury was more serious than previously thought

 

[moomin]

holy shit he's 27? I honestly thought he was like 21 or 22

 

[THFC 1882]

Spurs on Alert as £3m Barcelona Winger Confirms Premier League Interest

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/4...ansfer-news-ibrahim-afellay-barcelona-avb.htm

 

[THFC 1882]

We need to bid on him asap!!
Afellay would be a great cover for Lennon.

 

[degoose]

i think he would do a good job and be a decent option for us on the wing, we lacked a lot of options when we had injuries.

 

[Snarfalicious]

He's played 24 matches for his clubs in the past 2 seasons.

 

[Syn_13]

He's played 24 matches for his clubs in the past 2 seasons.

He struggled with injuries, but then so did VDV. Another Dutchman who, in his early 20s, looked a world beater, got his move to a massive club, and struggled to break into the team due to form and injuries. Although there are other options out there that wouldn't be as much of a risk Afellay is still a very good player and could be excellent for us, it's all about whether Levy can do another VDV style deal.

 

[Snarfalicious]

He struggled with injuries, but then so did VDV. Another Dutchman who, in his early 20s, looked a world beater, got his move to a massive club, and struggled to break into the team due to form and injuries. Although there are other options out there that wouldn't be as much of a risk Afellay is still a very good player and could be excellent for us, it's all about whether Levy can do another VDV style deal.

I think if he came incredibly cheap it may be worth it. He's better suited for our inverted LW position than anyone we currently have. It's just hard to justify a move for a guy, even if it is 4-5m, when he's 27 and has played less than a quarter of the matches for his club the past two seasons.

VDV also played pretty substantially for Real Madrid the season prior to his move here if I'm remembering things correctly.

 

[Syn_13]

I think if he came incredibly cheap it may be worth it. He's better suited for our inverted LW position than anyone we currently have. It's just hard to justify a move for a guy, even if it is 4-5m, when he's 27 and has played less than a quarter of the matches for his club the past two seasons.

VDV also played pretty substantially for Real Madrid the season prior to his move here if I'm remembering things correctly.

VDV's first season at Madrid was productive but his second season only saw him make about 23 starts.

However, I understand that Afellay has had less game time with Barca than VDV did with Real. You're right about him being the best suited to LW and would be a good option. But also, due to his injury problems and lack of game time I wouldn't want to spend too much on him either. If it's a deal for a few million though it would be worth it, providing the wages aren't too high.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I would worry that if we brought in this guy it would effectively end our interest in Bernard. I doubt we would bring in two wide players when we have players like Townsend and Falque returning from lone.

 

[Snarfalicious]

I would worry that if we brought in this guy it would effectively end our interest in Bernard. I doubt we would bring in two wide players when we have players like Townsend and Falque returning from lone.

I wouldn't say that. I think it could mean the end of Aaron Lennon, though. I thought Lennon was one of our best players this season and some of his defensive work was unreal. But, if we added Afellay, he would be expected to come in, as long as he were healthy, and be the starter and he most likely would perform at a high level.

If we sold Lennon, you essentially replace exactly what he is with Afellay but with a better goal-scoring ability as a wide forward. Then, with the Lennon money, who you've got to think would carry quite a good bit of value considering what Jesus Navas just went for, and go for a guy like Bernard with the money.

It comes down to if you think Afellay/Bernard with Siggy mixed in as well is better than Afellay, Lennon and Siggy.

 

[Syn_13]

I wouldn't say that. I think it could mean the end of Aaron Lennon, though. I thought Lennon was one of our best players this season and some of his defensive work was unreal. But, if we added Afellay, he would be expected to come in, as long as he were healthy, and be the starter and he most likely would perform at a high level.

If we sold Lennon, you essentially replace exactly what he is with Afellay but with a better goal-scoring ability as a wide forward. Then, with the Lennon money, who you've got to think would carry quite a good bit of value considering what Jesus Navas just went for, and go for a guy like Bernard with the money.

It comes down to if you think Afellay/Bernard with Siggy mixed in as well is better than Afellay, Lennon and Siggy.

I'd be inclined to agree with you on this bit in bold. He was brilliant in the first half of the season and he's one of the hardest working wingers around, so rare for a winger to help out his defender that much. However, he's been injury prone for years and struggles to get back into the swing of things.

The thing is, if we go all 4-3-3 then we won't need Lennon as much. It requires very attack minded wing-forwards who can provide more goals/assists than Lennon does and his defensive contributions will be covered by the 3 central midfielders. He's a player I'd definitely want to keep though as he'd be handy when we need to try out different approaches, just unsure as to whether he'd be happy to stay as a squad player.

 

[Snarfalicious]

I'd be inclined to agree with you on this bit in bold. He was brilliant in the first half of the season and he's one of the hardest working wingers around, so rare for a winger to help out his defender that much. However, he's been injury prone for years and struggles to get back into the swing of things.

The thing is, if we go all 4-3-3 then we won't need Lennon as much. It requires very attack minded wing-forwards who can provide more goals/assists than Lennon does and his defensive contributions will be covered by the 3 central midfielders. He's a player I'd definitely want to keep though as he'd be handy when we need to try out different approaches, just unsure as to whether he'd be happy to stay as a squad player.

Also, say we were to land Paulinho. Paulinho/Dembele/Sandro would allow for our front 3 to focus on one thing and one thing only: creating goals, chances and being absolutely attack-minded. Those three sitting behind them would be more than enough cover to impede any counter or attack that comes through midfield.

Lennon, despite all of his good attributes, does struggle with consistent attacking play. Afellay could present a big upgrade if he stays healthy. It's another reason why I stated they were pretty like-for-like. Both are good players but both will miss time over a season which you have to account for.

 

[THFC 1882]

my Guess is that Falque would bo loaned out again

 

[SandroClegane]

my Guess is that Falque would bo loaned out again

whats the point, he's 23? if he can't make the squad next season then we should sell.

 

[THFC 1882]

whats the point, he's 23? if he can't make the squad next season then we should sell.

I see Your point
we have also Townsend, so it will be hard for Falque to get any play time
but we also have the EL!