- Feb 1, 2005
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Linked by ITK (WLB)
PS: I've no idea who this is so hopefully it's this guy
PS: I've no idea who this is so hopefully it's this guy
Alejandro "Álex" Baena Rodríguez
- Thread starter Archibald&Crooks
- Start date
Ghost Hardware
Well-Known Member
- Aug 31, 2012
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I’ll try and write up a detailed report maybe tonight or tomorrow. But briefly he’s a very exciting young talent. Insanely versatile, has played RW, LW, CM and AM but really central is by far where he’s best. Yes he’s leading the league in assists with 9 from the LW but he drifts central a lot when he plays there. I really don’t see him as a permanent option on the wings in our system. More someone who can fill in there when needed.
Like so many Spanish players he has very good technical ability. He likes to pick spaces between the lines and drifts around the pitch a lot. His stand out attribute is his vision, he is very good at seeing how play will unfold, which is why he has such great assist numbers. On the flip side his biggest weakness is defensively, i do think statistically that is somewhat exaggerated by him playing wide this season but in general he needs a lot of work in this area given our system.
In terms of current level I think he not to dissimilar to Johnson in that he has a lot of strong assets but still needs refining. Despite his excellent numbers I don’t necessarily see him as being a starter next season but I think he’d be an accomplished rotation option with a lot of room to improve. Considering his natural ability and versatility I could see Ange liking the idea of moulding him into a player that perfectly suits his system.
Like so many Spanish players he has very good technical ability. He likes to pick spaces between the lines and drifts around the pitch a lot. His stand out attribute is his vision, he is very good at seeing how play will unfold, which is why he has such great assist numbers. On the flip side his biggest weakness is defensively, i do think statistically that is somewhat exaggerated by him playing wide this season but in general he needs a lot of work in this area given our system.
In terms of current level I think he not to dissimilar to Johnson in that he has a lot of strong assets but still needs refining. Despite his excellent numbers I don’t necessarily see him as being a starter next season but I think he’d be an accomplished rotation option with a lot of room to improve. Considering his natural ability and versatility I could see Ange liking the idea of moulding him into a player that perfectly suits his system.
felmani26
SC Supporter
- Jan 1, 2008
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Alex Baena: Villarreal’s Next Homegrown Gem?
La Liga in 2023/24 thus far has been known for the fairy-tale of Girona’s title surge, but look a little lower down the table and you’ll see another story being told in Spain. Some major hitters like Sevilla, Valencia and Celta Vigo are all underperforming. To complete the Unfantastic Four...
breakingthelines.com
An interesting comparison to Couthino and how we might utilise him
sidford
Well-Known Member
- Oct 20, 2003
- 11,392
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WLB did again state variation when he mentioned him last night and said he hinted at this before. Maybe it's his versatility that is also of real interest to the club and that he can fit into several different positions like a say Bernardo Silva which means he would be a hugely valuable member of squad / squad building.
If he's no.1 target then hopefully we get him
If he's no.1 target then hopefully we get him
Ron Burgundy
SC Supporter
- Jun 19, 2008
- 7,741
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(on the basis of the most superficial assessment possible i.e. watching youtube)
Good player. Like Eze though - doesn't perfectly fit the bill if we're after a dynamic, threatening winger.
Agree with those who say he's more a Gio replacement, who can fill in wide left if needed.
Think this summer might require some real work: Gil, Gio, PEH, (maybe) Richie, Reggie etc.
If we can sort the outgoings, this guy could be a relevant incoming. Hope we're looking at genuine wingers as well though.
Good player. Like Eze though - doesn't perfectly fit the bill if we're after a dynamic, threatening winger.
Agree with those who say he's more a Gio replacement, who can fill in wide left if needed.
Think this summer might require some real work: Gil, Gio, PEH, (maybe) Richie, Reggie etc.
If we can sort the outgoings, this guy could be a relevant incoming. Hope we're looking at genuine wingers as well though.
GutBucket
Well-Known Member
- May 26, 2013
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I would probably prefer AM who can play on wings and dribble but I won't complain when we sign any creative player with technical ability. Arsenal are consistently buying those and it works for them. Have a feeling we will go for Gibbs-White, doubt that Levy can resist that deal when NF are in financial trouble.
Ghost Hardware
Well-Known Member
- Aug 31, 2012
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I remember reading that at the time and being a little confused by that comparison tbh. Couthino in his prime was a significantly more aggressive dribbler.Alex Baena: Villarreal’s Next Homegrown Gem?
La Liga in 2023/24 thus far has been known for the fairy-tale of Girona’s title surge, but look a little lower down the table and you’ll see another story being told in Spain. Some major hitters like Sevilla, Valencia and Celta Vigo are all underperforming. To complete the Unfantastic Four...
An interesting comparison to Couthino and how we might utilise him
felmani26
SC Supporter
- Jan 1, 2008
- 24,584
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He does appear to be more of a schemer than Coutinho who like you say was more direct and has a good range of passing ability from long raking cross field passes to intricate slide rule balls.
jpascavitz
Well-Known Member
- Aug 8, 2019
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To me at first glances at his stats and video clips it seems that he is a younger version of Lo Celso and maybe that's what makes him an attractive option. Ange can mould him into his system as long as he has the right character. At this current time it does see like Lo Celso is a great squad option to have. However, we all know and mention his injury history as well as that he's entering his last year of his contract at age 28.
If you're not going to give him a new contract maybe it's a case of finding a version of him that could be more successful in our system. Will have to see
If you're not going to give him a new contract maybe it's a case of finding a version of him that could be more successful in our system. Will have to see
jpascavitz
Well-Known Member
- Aug 8, 2019
- 1,849
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I also see that he is represented by CAA Stellar
zonbon32
Girth X Length
- Jun 18, 2009
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Pfffffttttt done deal in that case
Ghost Hardware
Well-Known Member
- Aug 31, 2012
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Yeah honestly I don’t get it now and I didn’t get it then.
I am obviously not a scout and I have never watched this guy play. Won't waste anyone's time pretending to know about him. But, just based on everything written about him here and in the ITK discussion thread, he seems a similar profile to MGW.
I very much rate MGW and think he would be an excellent, HG signing. Unless there is a real price discrepancy between them, I fail to understand why this would be our priority signing and not the PL proven player (who I think has really been excellent this season, including but not limited to against us this past week). Would love for someone to explain to me why I am wrong!
I very much rate MGW and think he would be an excellent, HG signing. Unless there is a real price discrepancy between them, I fail to understand why this would be our priority signing and not the PL proven player (who I think has really been excellent this season, including but not limited to against us this past week). Would love for someone to explain to me why I am wrong!
JUSTINSIGNAL
Well-Known Member
- Jul 10, 2008
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You say he doesn’t fit the profile of what we’re after but if Ange is targeting him then maybe it means he is happy with his direct options - Werner(assuming we sign him), Johnson, Solomon, Son - and feels we need a Buena type profile of player.
Nick-TopSpursMan
Well-Known Member
- Aug 4, 2005
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Baena isn’t fit to play wide in the PL especially in our system.
I can’t emphasise enough how much of a central player he is. He’s not a wide player at all. It would be the equivalent of putting Lo Celso RW. In fact worse as Gio is better at dribbling.
It would a truly horrendous case of profiling and squad building.
Bluto Blutarsky
Well-Known Member
- Mar 4, 2021
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Given our recent history - I don't believe this is an issue.
If we are really targeting him, I think Ange has a spot for him in the squad.
Tonio
Good bloke, thorough professional.
- May 15, 2008
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So you're writing him off based on something that has not been proven?
