08 Aug 2026 09:57:40
I don't understand the negativity amongst some 'fans'. We've been crying out all window for defensive cover and now we have it, we are complaining? Araujo hasn't been brought in to be an automatic starter, but whilst Jacquet and Leoni build their fitness and match rhythm we need a player who isn't going to be overawed by the league. Van Dijk has a pretty good record at making any defender who stands next to him look decent and I don't doubt this will happen again.
Araujo brings experience, pace, aerial strength and versatility to the back line. He needs a fresh break somewhere different but Barca don't make you club captain unless you've got something about you. If it doesn't work out then he goes back. No fuss and no fee to cover. Hopefully this leaves transfer money available for other positions whilst building squad depth.
08 Aug 2026 10:24:11
I'm with you. Not the signing to get everyone off their seat, but it's a sensible one.
Can play CB and RB, good in the air, and has lots of experience.
His decision making is questionable, and he's not great on the ball, but you could say the same about Konate and a number of others we've had.
The important things for me are that it's a relatively reasonable price (10m in wages and whatever the loan fee is), he can cover in RB until Bradley is back (and his next inevitable injury), and can play at CB until Jacquet is ready to take over.
A team with VVD, Jacquet and Araujo will perform much better against long throws and corners with their height and ability in the air.
08 Aug 2026 10:25:21
I'm not a fan, personally, of this signing, but hoping to be proved wrong, Ricki.
It's just differing opinions. No need to get caught up too much in differing opinions. Let's see how it all pans out. I'd like nothing better than to be called out in a few months time with him starring in our side.
But I admit, at the very least, he plays the positions we need cover on CB/RB, so at least we bought some much needed experience there.
But he is not without his drawbacks. Drawbacks that exceed the pros for me, but I can see many who I respect here (including wdw BTW) feel a little different, and that does make me feel better about the signing. Happy to see how it pans out from here now it's done anyway.
08 Aug 2026 11:32:32
Spot on, Rick.
08 Aug 2026 12:08:41
Why are Barca, who still have Christensen and Erik Garcia in their squad, and are broke, by the way, letting him go out on loan then?
08 Aug 2026 12:30:17
Maybe Florian Araujo feels he needs a change of scenery to get over a few personal issues? He's been at Barca 7/8 years and it's time to move on to somewhere else. Think he may surprise u, I get your worry that he is injury prone, but he certainly has the ability and, for a cb, should be entering his peak.
I read it's £180k per week he's on, whether that true r not I dunno.
08 Aug 2026 13:03:55
My sentiments exactly, Digger. Sometimes, things just run their course in any relationship and it's just time to go see what else is out there.