So, some basics for some guys who are commenting in this topic.
What Barca's central midfielder should posses?
On an individual level, attacking terms:
1. Barca's DNA passes
2. Barca's DNA technique
3. Barca's DNA movement
4. it would help to score some goals here and there
Defensive terms:
1. defending well, not only in terms of tackles and interceptions, but covering large areas well, closing down, running like crazy, stamina.
2. workrate
3. In this area some physical skills help also. Pace, stamina, some muscles, some height, arial duels after here and there and after corners
Mental/other skills:
1. experience always helps
2. mental strength helps also
3. in big CL matches, not being a schoolboy pussy pushover also helps
Not only these 9 skills, there are some additional factors, on a team level, where you need some additional maths:
1. if your forwards don't defend, you need someone to cover for them
2. if your other midfielders are lighter (Iniesta), you need someone alongside him who will cover for him also. And bring some fight, muscles and hardwork. Not against Getafe though, but against bigger teams. Against Getafe we are fine with Frenkie/Alena/Arthur, insert any random fan favorite.
3. if your Cdm is not too fast and not being able to cover too much in defense, you need someone like Rakitic/Vidal AGAINST BIG BOYS, not against Getafe, to cover for him
4. also, there are things, if too many midfielders are physically light like Barca's DNA players, Iniesta, Busi, Alena, Frenkie, Puig, you will need at least one guy with actual muscles against big teams. Not against Getafe, though.
Now, when you want to get rid of Rakitic, and we already lost Paulinho, it is true that Rakitic is not excellent in attacking area since he is not Barca's DNA type of a player.
But then, he is better in defensive area than: Coutinho, Arthur, Iniesta, Rafinha, Samper, Alena, Puig, Frenkie.
Vidal is on his level in defense.
On a mental level, kids again don't have world class experience and we already have enough of pussy schoolboys in midfield. We need more of Rakitic/Vidal/Paulinho in the future. So, he is again better than all Barca's DNA guys in that area.
Mental strength, he is on top level there among our midfielders.
On a team level, where you need balance, again: you can't sell Rakitic and play, let's say: Coutinho-Frenkie-Busi lol, or Coutinho-Arthur-Busi, lol, or any similar combination.
So, I am not sure if some guys in these topics are trolling or they seriously don't see much farther from: but he has soooo good passes, he will solve all our problems in a CL.
Someone mentioned above how CL ties are won with good control in midfield.
Well, yes, in attacking terms.
To have control in midfield in 2018, you need some physical skills besides pure passes.
And further, once you lose the ball, you need a lot of defending, workrate and physical skills in 2018.
So, sorry, guys, but please wake up: a midfield of Frenkie-Alena/Arthur/Puig won't win CL titles past 2012 in real life.
On manager games or off Fifa, maybe.
Also, for all of you who wonder why are we after Rabiot.
= because we have 10 similar young midfielders: technical and physically light. Not too aggressive in mental terms.
It is extremely unlikely that such a profile of midfielders will win CL titles post 2012' and without prime Messi-Xavi-Iniesta in their team.
I would like to see a short term injury or something for both Rakitic and Vidal, so that we could play with 3 light midfielders in a CL and in La liga against Real and Atletico post 2012'.
Maybe some guys will once for all understand why you need guys like Rakitic/Vidal/Casemiro in your team in 2018'.
So, if you guys want to sell Raki, then offer some new options for midfield.
You can't seriously sell Raki and offer Alena, Arthur, Frenkie, Puig and similar as combative/defensive/somewhat aggressive options, lol.
Waiting for usual Barca's DNA posters with lessons how all mentioned above is shit and how our bright future lies in Frenkie-Arthur-Oriol light and technical midfield
I mean, they are technical, they will "control" the midfield till death.
I mean, at least I'll read something for laughs before going to sleep.