City Transfer Target Evaluation — Part 3 (Right-Back)
One of Our Own?
Likelihood: 2/5
Why force a summer signing if we have talent in our youth ranks or even someone in the current squad?
Maffeo:
I definitely think Maffeo deserves a better look this next year. Pep must give him chances during our friendlies and pre-season matches. He played brilliantly against Manchester United and played well in our pre-season matches. Unfortunately, he had two experienced right-backs ahead of him in Zabaleta and Sagna.
However, Zabaleta will be gone and I’m not sure Sagna will remain in the squad. If we do make a summer signing at full-back I hope that Maffeo can at least make the squad as a back-up. Depth was a big issue this year for us whether it be at outside mid, back, or the center of the park. Maffeo could solve all of these problems.
Fernandinho:
We’ve seen Fernandinho play at full-back with mixed success. Against Monaco he played poorly, but that was on the other side of the park… Against Crystal Palace and now Watford, I thought Fernandinho played very well in the right-back spot. Nonetheless, he might not covet all of the qualities Pep desires in a full-back going forward. Yes, he is calm and good in possession in the center of the park. However, he offers very little on the wing.
I don’t see it as very likely that we sign no one and rely on Fernandinho. However, I could see us signing someone like Fabinho who can play in this position and have Maffeo and Fernandinho as back-up.
Navas:
Not going to happen.
Here is that Comparison Matrix if you’re interested in statistical analysis.