Let me start by saying this
1-There is a need to differentiate between physique & height, physique is about height,strength,quickness and stamina. Kante is short but is physically dominant player IMO. This is something that BBZ generally tend to make it the same thing
2-I don't agree with BBZ but I think balance is of huge importance, didn't read his previous posts but he previously said what he wants is balance, not 3 short players (which never happened in any recent Barca era btw. Busquets was strong tall player and Yaya was same), I won't like a future midfield of FDJ/Puig/Arthur for example, unless they all turn all-time great I don't see that midfield working great.
This is the best one. Quote a time when short midfielders win trophies without Messi. Yet if you quote the obvious one in Spain then you have the disclaimer that if can't be the era when Spain dominated.
Spain in Euro 2008 starting line up (outfield players)
Puyol: average height for CB, but physically a beast.
Carlos Marchena: CB who also didn't lack height or physique
Capdevila: Tall CB, physically strong player
Senna: Average height for midfielder, but physical beast (Spain loved their nationalized player)
Torres: tall & athletic striker
Cesc/Villa: average Physique & height (slightly above average in Cesc case)
Xavi/Iniesta/Silva: below average Physique (light weight) midfielders.
Spain in WC 2010 starting line up: Puyol/Pique/Ramos/Capdevila
Alonso/Busquets (all mentioned till now are physically strong/tall players) Xavi,Iniesta with players like Villa/Pedro/Torres rotating.
Spain Euro 2012 line up:
Pique (a tower) , Ramos (athletic strong player) , Arbeloa (very tall for RB) and Alba (short, but strong and very athletic/quick), midfield trio of Busquets,Alonso & Xavi, attack of Iniesta/Silva with torres/Negredo/Cesc playing the striker position.
Spain had 3 all timers in Silva/Iniesta/Xavi, but overall the team wasn't weak, and the midfield was either supported by 2 physically dominant DM or one pure Spoiler like Senna
So while Spain had succeeded with those players, they didn't succeed purely with short players and paid close attention to the need of physique in the team
Another food for thought:
Pep signings in his 1st 3 successful years:
2008: Pique (1.94 m) Caceres (1.78 m) Alves (1.71 m) Keita(1.83 m) Hleb(1.85 m )
2009: Ibra(1.95 m) Maxwell (1.76 m ) Chygrynskiy (1.89 m)
2010/11: Afellay(1.80 m ) Adriano(1.73 m ) Mascherano(1.74 m) Villa (1.75 m)
12 players, only 3 shorter than 1.75m with 2 of them being full backs. All 3 were strong and very athletic players
2 players above 1.9m,with another 4 being 1.8 or above
if you want to add players from his last year : Cesc ( 1.80 m) Alexis Sánchez ( 1.68 m)
Players promoted: Busquets (1.89 m) Pedro(1.69 m) Thiago(1.74 m) Tello(1.78 m) Cuenca(1.79 m) Jeffren (1.77 m)
Pep really didn't favored shorter players when you look to the players he brought, in fact he was more favoring height or athletic abilities, he surely admired the game of Xavi & Iniesta and got them to play his peffect game, but he also didn't ignore the need of height or "muscles" in the team.
When actually it is not about the height or putting Messi into different eras (which is so stupid to even suggest because then we can move around C. Ronaldo, Pele, Maradona, Puskas and etc in eras of different tactics, training and nutrition) but about the team, the individuals in the system and their abilities at that point of time.
And this is the most important part of your post, there is a need of a system, sporting project and individual with their "abilities "
All this is true, and while you need to not ignore a talent because he is short etc, there is a need for balance, there is a need to remember that football is sport and like any other sports your physique matters.
BBZ posts are in many cases are exaggerated, no doubt; but he is also triggered by some fans who actually tend to go to the other extreme with their wishes
