The initial backlash of Arturo Vidal’s signing has not been good, but his price tag is hard to refute. The production that he provides when healthy makes the deal worth it, but he hasn’t been fully upright for a full season in quite a few years. Paulinho created the blueprint for this brand of midfielder under Ernesto Valverde and that may be a guide as to the Chilean’s role at the club. Dan and Victor Valencheck spoke about his transfer in the latest edition of The Barcelona Podcast:
With the injury to Mateu Morey’s knee, the right-back spot at Barcelona B went from a position of fortitude to a problem area in a hurry. It appears that even before Mate’s injury FC Barcelona were looking to add depth at the B squad and potentially even the first team. For all the promise of Morey, Moussa Wague is a World Cup starter who showcased that he has the raw tools to be a force at club level.
The stock of Aleix Vidal has had its fair share of hills and valleys since he signed alongside Arda Turan in the midst of the transfer ban, but his move to Sevilla seems to indicate that Barcelona have found a way to sell high on the player. He was never more than a sparingly used substitute, but there were times when he found his form and could be utilized out on the wing to some effect.
Whether by his own actions or the constant desire of sensational media to demonize his character, Ousmane Dembele’s recent meetings with Arsenal players has done nothing to stop the gossip turbines from turning. It would be naive to think that Pep Segura and Eric Abidal are trying to offload a player with his price tag, but it doesn’t stop the magazines from trying to sell flashy headlines.
Jose Arnaiz back in training
No youth player was close to breaking into the first team last season, but Jose Arnaiz, who was brought to Barca B in 2017 from Real Valladolid, was the lone bright spot when given the opportunity. The long-term injury to the 23-year-old has hurt his chances of making the first team and lowered his transfer value unfortunately, but it is a positive to at least see the player back in training.
