Asier Illarramendi

[DonAndres]

-Illarramendi was one of the most impressive CM's in la liga this season, over Alonso and Xavi.
-Isco might be central while Ozil plays on the right, either way Di Maria is too inconsistent to rely on.
-Carvajal was one of the best fullbacks in the BL, he shits on Arbeloa and will slot into Madrid's side with ease.

 

[JamDav1982]

-Illarramendi was one of the most impressive CM's in la liga this season, over Alonso and Xavi.
-Isco might be central while Ozil plays on the right, either way Di Maria is too inconsistent to rely on.
-Carvajal was one of the best fullbacks in the BL, he shits on Arbeloa and will slot into Madrid's side with ease.

Illaremendi was better than Xavi last season? Not even close!!

 

[DonAndres]

Please tell me how Xavi was above average last season overall. Illa isn't the more merited or overall capable player, but he performed better over the season. Other than the Milan game and a few others, Xavi was playing alright but not spectacular. Illaramendi however was absolutely impressive.

 

[JamDav1982]

Please tell me how Xavi was above average last season overall. Illa isn't the more merited or overall capable player, but he performed better over the season. Other than the Milan game and a few others, Xavi was playing alright but not spectacular. Illaramendi however was absolutely impressive.

Xavi week in week out was still at a better level quite easily in my opinion.

Comparing them on a few tired performances in the CL is not fair as Illa never played at that level or under that pressure.

If you knew nothing of the players and watched them in a game I am sure most would still pick Xavi as the much better player despite the fact he has declined a bit.

 

[Cruijffista]

Xavi is still currently better than Illarramendi.

Illarramendi was impressive but he's not on Xavi's level yet.

 

[DonAndres]

Constant injury and fatigue prevented him from being as impressive as he could have (even then his ability has been declined). Even in la liga he wasn't constantly at his top level. Don't get me wrong, Xavi is still an unbelievably influential player for the team, but on quality performances it would be merit based judging to say that Illa wasn't giving more consistent and better quality performances.

 

[oz187]

To say that Illa was giving better quality performances than Xavi is just ridiculous. You really take Xavi for granted.
Isco playing central with Ozil on the right? I don't see how that's an improvement over Ozil/DiMaria. DiMaria has his flaws but he is a more natural winger, and Ozil is currently better than Isco.
Assuming that Carvajal will slot in easily is also a very big assumption.

 

[Yugi]

on Xavi´s level

 

[JamDav1982]

Constant injury and fatigue prevented him from being as impressive as he could have (even then his ability has been declined). Even in la liga he wasn't constantly at his top level. Don't get me wrong, Xavi is still an unbelievably influential player for the team, but on quality performances it would be merit based judging to say that Illa wasn't giving more consistent and better quality performances.

He was better than Illa and by a distance.

I would give this one up if I was you.

 

[barcanuck]

So Real snap up Asier and Isco from U21's and we lose Thiago.

 

[DonAndres]

Xavi has far more influence and obviously is the better player at his best, but consistency, fatigue, and injuries have been a huge problem for him this season and we all know it. People act like he's untouchable and to say he's not the best is heresy of some sort. Illarra had the benefit of being younger and therefore having less trouble with physical aging but his performances were undoubtedly great and he's earned the recognition he's gotten for it.

 

[Cruijffista]

So Real snap up Asier and Isco from U21's and we lose Thiago.

We did get the most exciting player to come to Europe in a long time though in Neymar.

The work is far from over though. We still need a World-Class CB.

 

[JamDav1982]

Xavi has far more influence and obviously is the better player at his best, but consistency, fatigue, and injuries have been a huge problem for him this season and we all know it. People act like he's untouchable and to say he's not the best is heresy of some sort. Illarra had the benefit of being younger and therefore having less trouble with physical aging but his performances were undoubtedly great and he's earned the recognition he's gotten for it.

He was consistently on a different level to Illa last season week in week out. The only time he looked tired was a couple of the european games.

Xavi was in a different class to Illa last season by far.

It is mental that you can even argue that to be honest.

 

[DonAndres]

This seems to be touching a nerve to some on a Barca forum but I'll let it go since very few would be willing to accept a different answer.

 

[JamDav1982]

This seems to be touching a nerve to some on a Barca forum but I'll let it go since very few would be willing to accept a different answer.

Nothing to with touching a nerve it is about the fact you are wildy off the mark.