Ivan Rakitić

[Judoman]

I loved Rakitic in the past both in NT team and as a club player, but in the last 2 years, his stamina and pace totally disappeared (he is one of those guys who age and lose phisical abilities quite early, in 20s).
Plus, imo, his head and attitude also got worse and a fame slightly affected him.

These 2 statements are directly connected. Weaker mental atitude translates to weaker physical form. Age is not even a factor here.

I said this couple of times and i ll say it again. It s time to sell this guy.

 

[Zuti]

Rakitic played like a 45 years old more or less in every Croatian NT match in 2016 and 2017.
In the same time when he declined at Barca, he also started to play equally as bad in NT team.

Also, for my taste, Rakitic's attitude has slightly changed in 2016 and 2017.
Before Barca, he was a good, humble, hardworking guy in NT team.
Imo, in my eyes, after our treble in 2015, he started to play slighty arrogant in the NT team.

Something like: I am the star here. I am playing for Barca.
I don't have to run as much anymore, because I am the star.

Again, this is just my view.
I loved Rakitic in the past both in NT team and as a club player, but in the last 2 years, his stamina and pace totally disappeared (he is one of those guys who age and lose phisical abilities quite early, in late 20s).
Plus, imo, his head and attitude also got worse and a fame slightly affected him.

Oh, I agree that he declined a ton, lost motivation. And Id rather have Kova in my team, main raesons beeing age/speed and motivation. I just don't think he'd make a difference at Barca if we would swap him with Rakitic right now, or a very minor one.

 

[dakt]

Kova's talent was so evident back in the days when he played for Dinamo. People were complaining about his inconsistency in Inter as a teenager, but even then he was way better option than what we currently have.
Were we smart enough to get him for a peanut...but again, same can be said for Isco and many others.

I think we have a similar option in S.Roberto. Give him a full responsibility, he will shine.

 

[KingMessi]

Sad we picked Halilovic over Kovacic.

 

[dakt]

Halilovic

 

[DonAK]

Roberto lacks vision which Kovacic has.

Better option than everyone else we currently have though.

 

[Raketa10]

Sad we picked Halilovic over Kovacic.

Yeah he had Barca DNA

 

[DonAK]

Douglas over Asensio

 

[dakt]

He definitely doesn't lack vision. Who has better vision however, is discussable.

 

[Raketa10]

Kova's talent was so evident back in the days when he played for Dinamo. People were complaining about his inconsistency in Inter as a teenager, but even then he was way better option than what we currently have.
Were we smart enough to get him for a peanut...but again, same can be said for Isco and many others.

I think we have a similar option in S.Roberto. Give him a full responsibility, he will shine.

To be fair Kovacic was also bad until second part of last season. So it wasn't obvious he will suceed. Only obviuos thing was that he was hugely talented but he often disappeared for 80% of the games he played.

Zidane did his part and he has improved much in last 6 months. We need a proper manager who can do the same with Alena.

 

[vueling]

Yesss get some more *inhos...target would be a full team with players ending in inho!

 

[BBZ8800]

Roberto is essentially a better Rakitic version than current and shitty Rakitic himself.

Well, about a current Rakitic, I could agree with that.
But imo, people are still overrating Roberto in general if they think that he can rach insane heights with his skillset.

I personally don't like his style, because his passing options are either:
1. a crazy solo action/trying to dribble past several defenders
2. or playing 90% of backpasses and alibi-passes

There is no middle ground with him. To actually do tricky passes or dangerous through balls.
As said, it is either: solo runs or backpasses.
Also, for me, he doesn't see too confident and comfortable with the ball, for Barca's level.

On the other hand, Rakitic HAD basic skills when he was younger and he was an awesome midfielder who KNEW how to control the play, how to play some risky passes and how to be a playmaker.
He was way more confident on the ball than Roberto (except in Roberto's solo runs where Roberto is way better).

An interesting video, a 25 years old Rakitic from Sevila:Barcelona:
He was never ultra fast, but in this video people can clearly see how he was (way) faster than today, how his feet were faster, how his first few steps were way faster than today.
Last season, when some of us started to say that he aged extremely fast, other posters used to reply: that is impossible, he is only 28. You can't lose pace and phisycal abilities in that age.
Welll, apparently you can. So, guys, look at how younger Raki played and how faster he ran, only 3-4 years ago:

 

[bastardo]

Wow that was a lot of misplaced passes.

 

[utility73]

Sad we picked Halilovic over Kovacic.

Halilowho?

 

[Alik]

Does Halilovic still play football?