Cesc Fàbregas

[BigBarcaBoy]

I hope cesc finally understands the benefit of freshness, and accept less playing time and more rotating, the next first half of the season.

The same goes for Thiago and hopefully the rest of the team

 

[jiopi]

Directly contributed league points (G+A) 12-13

38 Messi
14 Fabregas
11 Villa
11 Alexis
7 Xavi
5 Tello
5 Pedro
5 Iniesta
3 Thiago

 

[Fourteen]

So good for Spain. So so for Barca. Still too good and effective to sell though.

 

[jiopi]

The same goes for Thiago and hopefully the rest of the team

More so with Fabregas, who was like wandering zombie most of the second half of the season, the same happened season before.

 

[barcanuck]

You can say he flourishes when a true #9 plays ahead of him.

 

[oz187]

The advantage of playing Messi up front is that the negative effects of his low work rate are reduced. Not only will any pressing be more effective, but having 5 players in midfield all making good off the ball movements will enable the tiki-taka to be more fluid and effective.

 

[instinct]

Yeah, Messi in the front

Neymar and Alexis behind him on the wings

Behind them Iniesta and Cesc in the centre

And Busquets as a DM

 

[oz187]

I would say there's no real winger. I would say it's Busi as the DM, and then four players out of Xavi, Iniesta, Neymar, Cesc, Alexis and Pedro playing with a lot of freedom ahead of him, with Messi ahead of that. Then Alba and Alves can occasionally take advantage of the wings, but they maybe remain a bit more cautious, more relying on the element of surprise.

 

[darthvader7888]

Yeah, Messi in the front

Neymar and Alexis behind him on the wings

Behind them Iniesta and Cesc in the centre

And Busquets as a DM

Replace Cesc with Xavi or Thiago.

 

[Darko]

Replace Cesc with Xavi or Thiago.

+1

 

[footyfan]

The advantage of playing Messi up front is that the negative effects of his low work rate are reduced. Not only will any pressing be more effective, but having 5 players in midfield all making good off the ball movements will enable the tiki-taka to be more fluid and effective.

Messi is the best ball winner in the squad. The key is not to reduce his work rate further by isolating him but asking him to be more involved in defensive and pressing duties. Something which Pep did but Tito hasn't.

I would wager though that he will be rested more/asked to stay up front more than ever next season due to the upcoming World Cup.

 

[beautifulgame]

Messi is the best ball winner in the squad. The key is not to reduce his work rate further by isolating him but asking him to be more involved in defensive and pressing duties. Something which Pep did but Tito hasn't.

I would wager though that he will be rested more/asked to stay up front more than ever next season due to the upcoming World Cup.

Yes and no. No because Messi stopped being responsible in Pep's last season. Both with the ball and defending. But he is an excellent defender when he does. Neymar is also very good at that.

 

[oz187]

Messi is the best ball winner in the squad. The key is not to reduce his work rate further by isolating him but asking him to be more involved in defensive and pressing duties. Something which Pep did but Tito hasn't.

Last season under Pep Messi was the same as this season, rationing his off the ball movements.

 

[footyfan]

Only towards the latter stages of the season after playing a huge number of games non stop

And I highly doubt '"he" did it himself, probably was asked to do it.

 

[Vapor]

Awesome game with Spain by Fab all around. Excellent assist and he was just very sharp overall. Whether it's just freshness or something else, whatever he's been doing he needs to keep it up, he looked great out there.