strong midfielder can't carry his shit midfield against strong opponents. wow congrats, thanks for the revelation.
F. De Jong isn't a problem for this team. Stop hating on good players just so you can be a contrarian. You did this with Neymar as well.
I watched in person Barca during Gaspart's era with coaches like Rexach, Serra Ferrer, Antic.
We had a midfield with Fabio Rochemback, Petit, Gerard Lopez, Riquelme.
And guys like Xavi or even Cocu still managed to have very good performances against big teams.
Of course that teammates and a coach are a big factor.
But even then, you can't be meh every time.
I still haven't write off Frenkie like Mats, Dumbele, Riki, Alena etc.
But I come to post here from time to time, because Frenkie is getting unreal level of credits and alibies compared to his big matches performances.
Also, this excuse: teammates are bad is getting overused.
For guys who grew up during Pep, teams like Ev's and RK's Barca look shit.
But you'll have to get used to it.
This is a normal Barca. Pep was an anomaly, not a rule.
So, players will need to shine and lead a team even in a not so perfect conditions.
Check the pattern:
Dembele was injured, rusty and surrounded by slow teammates for years. (alibies)
In reality: a guy is a terrible footballer.
Poor Arthur was surrounded by teammates who don't make forward runs, and surrounded by bad Raki and Busi.
Also, EV's training regimes were blamed for Arthur's stamina.
In reality: Arthur's forward passing sucks regardless of teammates.
And his stamina sucks regardless of EV.
Semedo was too fast for his teammates. And people said that he can't make assists due to teammates who weren't making runs.
In reality: he sucks in EPL on all levels.
I often say: if a player sucks under 3-4 managers in a row = he probably sucks.
Maybe we should expand it to: if a player plays bad in 4-5-10 big matches in a row, maybe we shouldn't accuse coaches and his teammates all the time?
Tbh, he was hailed as the best or the future best midfielder in the world.
