Rakitic-Roberto is about the same as Rakitic-Vidal.
All three of these players possess similar traits and also share the same flaws. Did Valverde think that sticking the likes of De Jong, or Busi or possibly even Arthur in the Regista(CDM) spot would somehow make a pairing of Rakitic-Roberto/Vidal-Rakitic even remotely look competent?
All three of those players have the same flaws as each other with the ball at their feet. All three of them struggle when the other teams press them and once they are pressed they will either lose the ball due to some shitty panic passing or won't bother progressing up the field with the ball to help open up passing lanes to help create chances.
The whole thing isn't rocket science at all. These three players would only function in a setup if they are paired up with having an Arthur and De Jong/Busi who do most of the heavy lifting with the ball. They will not work right if they are forced to have so many responsibilities with the ball at their feet.
It's something Valverde doesn't understand at all.
