You don't know that and just because other people think same way doesn't make it more convincing. The guy never even played for us and his young. At his age Xavi was warming the bench.
Sorry, what?
Xavi aged 18-19:
"His progression through the teams earned him a first-team appearance in a Copa Catalunya match against Lleida on 5 May 1998[18] and he scored his first goal on 18 August 1998 in the Super Cup final against RCD Mallorca. His début in La Liga came against Valencia CF on 3 October 1998 in a 3–1 victory for Barcelona. Initially featuring intermittently both for the reserve and senior teams, Xavi scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Real Valladolid when Barcelona were 10th in the league. Sustained impressive performance meant that he became a key member of Louis van Gaal's title-winning team. Xavi finished his debut season with 26 matches played and winning the Spanish League. He also was named 1999 La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year. Xavi became Barcelona's principal playmaker after an injury to Pep Guardiola in the 1999–2000 season."
By the age of 22, Xavi already had 152 matches played for Barca's Ateam in La liga, Cdr and Champions league.
Ok, some will say that he played then to some extent because Barca needed Catalan players.
Further, to some extent, it is not fair to say that Suarez will be a squad/bench player at Barca, but everything indicates that.
Ok, he may improve and explode, you never know.
But on the other hand, comparing Denis with Xavi is also insane, imo.
I have watched young Xavi from his first steps in Ateam, and even though he was far from the prime Xavi, it was clear that this guy "has it".
He was something special, and with Rivaldo and Luis Enrique, he was my favorite player in those years, no matter how young he was.
On the other hand, comparing Roberto, Rafinha and Denis with Xavi, Iniesta and similar is imo, just a desperation.
We need new Cms, La Masia isn't producing such talents anymore and now people are hoping that current (mostly mediocre players) may explode and magically turn into a next Xavi.
Xavi has been hailed from his early steps in Ateam steps in Ateam as a special player.
Denis is just a wishful thinking from our forum.
Further, some users act on this forum as if Roberto, Rafinha and Denis are kids.
Roberto is 24, Rafinha is 23 and Denis 22.
If someone wants to compare them with young Iniesta and if someone actually thinks that they can reach a level (or a similar level) of Xavi/Iniesta, this is how a 22-years old Iniesta played:
I remember all those matches from 2006 in La liga and a CL when Iniesta was 22, and yes, he was far from the current Iniesta.
But also, he was miles and miles better in everything than Roberto, Rafinha and Denis.
So, on one hand, it is fine to hope that our youngsters may turn into something eventually, but we shouldn't be deluded and totally blind and biased.
One more time, sorry if my post was offensive, but for me it is a total blasphemy to compare Xavi and Denis in the same sentence in this manner.
18 years old Xavi:
Compare this guy to our current La Masia "talents" when they play some cup matches for Barca.
Plus, young Iniesta, for example was a key player in all youth Spanish NT teams, and one of the best players of tournaments.
While Denis played for youth NT teams, but mostly as a sub.
So, even here you can see that Xavi or Iniesta were always key players on all levels, while Roberto, Denis and Rafinha are far from it on youth NT levels and in a current Barca's setup.
That can't be a coincidence.
He could've played some matches the past season already, and now with Adriano leaving (for Lazio most likely) he could totally jump in and be the understudy, that Alba so desperately needs. I heard mention of another LB, young Villareal hot-shot Adrian Marin, i guess he could be an option. And of course from Lucho favourite hunting ground, Jonny. He is young, i'll give him that, but i'm not too sure about his quality. I fear that he might just turn out to be another Adriano, who can only play well against less-quality opponents, but not cut it on the big stage, at least not regularly.
