Andrés Iniesta

[jamrock]

Messi score 75 last season and we won nothing, stats are not as Important as the overall effectiveness, especially for midfielders, if someone quotes goals and assist for a midfielder before anything, it simply seems he isn't that great

 

[Semi-Neutral]

Messi score 75 last season and we won nothing, stats are not as Important as the overall effectiveness

But Messi isn't a midfielder, he's a striker. Scoring goals is overall effectiveness for strikers.

 

[ammarfcb]

guys guys let's not compare. we have the 2 best players in the world let's just be happy

 

[DonAndres]

guys guys let's not compare. we have the 2 best players in the world let's just be happy

+1

 

[jamrock]

But Messi isn't a midfielder, he's a striker. Scoring goals is overall effectiveness for strikers.

Damn auto correct, should be overall effectiveness of the team

 

[FiReFTW]

I really don't get why some people compare Iniesta to Messi, Iniesta is a great player but its an insult to him to be compared to Messi because he will fall short like everyone else. Theres not a single thing Iniesta can do better than Messi can apart from first touch technique, the only thing Iniesta comes close to is dribbling in tight spaces, so I really don't see why someone would even dare to compare him with Messi.

 

[oz187]

Theres not a single thing Iniesta can do better than Messi can apart from first touch technique, the only thing Iniesta comes close to is dribbling in tight spaces, so I really don't see why someone would even dare to compare him with Messi.

That's just downplaying the Don too much. He also has superior ability to retain the ball under pressure, has better concentration, positioning and decision making in midfield, superior short passing ability, better defensive capabilities.

Where Messi is superior though is that he is much more of a goal threat. In terms of dribbling, shooting and even in terms of playing the final pass he is better. He also does this under greater pressure and in more difficult areas of the pitch. It's goals that win you games and this is why Messi is the better player overall. But don't discount the Don, he is one of the greatest of all time.

 

[Youngie]

Heh, discussing with 1 or 10 people is still the same thing, no need for a break

Gave me a chance to expand slightly on my reasons behind what I wrote

Would it be any different with Villa on the wing and Iniesta in midfield? Doubt it since Iniesta doesn't really track back.

 

[Youngie]

Cesc fan boys tend to have a very limited understanding of football, so you can't argue logically with them, my only hope for getting iniesta back in the midfield is for us to buy neymar in the summer, with all the hype he will come with Tito will be forced to bench cesc.

So you want the most productive midfielder in the league this season (Cesc) to be benched?

 

[Semi-Neutral]

I would bench Fabregas over Xavi in a heartbeat.

 

[DonAndres]

Cesc is great but if we are playing against strong counterattacking teams we need Iniesta in that midfield to help us keep possession and play a fluent passing game. Cesc is more direct and thats useful but loses possession more and against a team like Madrid, that isn't gonna end well. When we need to control a match more and play safe, Iniesta in midfield is our best bet.

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8NLwfsF82Q

HeilRJ knocked one out the park again!

Yup, brilliant compilation.

 

[Deco 20]

Would it be any different with Villa on the wing and Iniesta in midfield? Doubt it since Iniesta doesn't really track back.

Iniesta is very underrated in defense, but he's neither quick enough nor does he have the stamina to do it well as a winger. Villa/Iniesta would do a better defensive job, although Tello and, especially, Sanchez are superior.

 

[Youngie]

Cesc is great but if we are playing against strong counterattacking teams we need Iniesta in that midfield to help us keep possession and play a fluent passing game. Cesc is more direct and thats useful but loses possession more and against a team like Madrid, that isn't gonna end well. When we need to control a match more and play safe, Iniesta in midfield is our best bet.

You think Cesc is losing a lot of possession or something? He's miles better than he was. But here I am preaching to the choir...

 

[Youngie]

Iniesta is very underrated in defense, but he's neither quick enough nor does he have the stamina to do it well as a winger. Villa/Iniesta would do a better defensive job, although Tello and, especially, Sanchez are superior.

The thing is though: Iniesta is still more in midfield than on the wing as far as I can see.