Guardiola: ‘I don’t remember a game where Pinto wasn’t prepared. His ball control with his feet wasn’t exactly brilliant, but with his perseverance he’s achieved the right level’
Guardiola: ‘I don’t remember a game where Pinto wasn’t prepared. His ball control with his feet wasn’t exactly brilliant, but with his perseverance he’s achieved the right level’
Guardiola: ‘Pinto played an impeccable game, his footwork was sublime. He had patience and tranquility. He knows his role in the team and he never stops helping. That’s why we renew his contract year after year, because he deserves it’
Pinto: ‘I only need to sign my new FC Barcelona contract, it’s almost symbolic at this point, because both sides are in agreement and we’ve given our word. Seeing that I renew year after year, it’s normal to hear about other keepers. On the first day I said I was coming to stay and in the end that’s true’
Pinto: ‘It’s an honour every time Guardiola talks about me. It’s the reward for the work I put in, my dedication, for the commitment I’ve shown the team since I stated with the Club’
– Pinto has visibly improved as a result of hard-work, practice and determination over the years, mainly forced by Barça’s constant focus on playing the ball on the floor.
As you read above, Pinto is about to sign yet another one-year contract for next season. It seems he’s an easy-going guy who is really good friends with Messi, never complains and gets on with the job whenever given the chance.
My question is clear: Would you be comfortable with Pinto covering Valdes during a long-term injury? Well, I wouldn’t. A club which is expected to win La Liga, Champions League and even the Club World Cup every year can’t have Pinto as the second choice keeper.
Whenever our defenders pass him the ball, my heart sinks. You can also feel this anxiety around the Camp Nou stands, what in Catalan we call the ‘run-run-run’ (Bojan was an expert at getting the home fans commenting his mistakes in disapproval)
Let’s hope Valdes stays fit and we never have to regret not investing on a better Plan B for our goal, or simply giving Oier or another La Masia youngster a proper chance to shine – Don’t forget Pinto is 36 years old already.
JOSE MANUEL PINTO: A GOOD GUY WHO TAKES HIS JOB SERIOUSLY, BUT NOT A QUALITY REPLACEMENT FOR VALDES!!!
