Exactly. It's messed up. We have good player on bench (Vidal), there's no point playing Raki every game 90 min.
I don't think anymore that Rakitic and Vidal are THAT similar.
True, they are more closer to workhorses than other guys who are closer to Barca's DNA type of players.
Rakitic is more static and his radius of movement is smaller.
Which is both a positive and a negative thing.
Negative: he isn't getting that close to a box.
Positive: he isn't pushing too far up and can get back to prevent counters.
On the other hand, Vidal is a box to box player and he both: gets more into the opponent's box, but leaves more holes behind his back on some occasions due to getting into the opponent's box.
Coutinho also leaves gaps behind his back.
So, imo a midfield Busi-Vidal-Coutinho can in some moments leave Busquets totally alone in counters.
Rakitic is more helpful in defense and is usually on a right position when we lose the ball (I guess that THIS is the reason why he plays all the time).
With Arthur, he also doesn't push THAT far up and is like Rakitic, on right position when we lose the ball.
With Busquets-Rakitic-Arthur, we probably have a midfield which is the most solid and least prone to counters.
On the other hand, this midfield lacks in attack (both Arthur and Rakitic with sideway passes).
So, it is a matter of balance: is EV or any coach willing to trade some of defensive and positional stability for more options in attack with Coutinho-Arthut/Rakitic-Busquets midfield?
Each player has lots of pros and cons.
And imo, when assessing a player, it is wiser to look at a bigger picture and look at player's teammates.
So, Rakitic is good.
But NOT when he is paired with Paulinho or Arthur.
We lack creation then.
Coutinho is good in midfield, but probably more suited with Arthur or Rakitic and NOT Vidal, since BOTH of them would bomb forward and would often leave Busi alone.
Regarding Vidal, this raises questions when will he play?
Well, if we want Coutinho and someone as a CM, then Coutinho can play only with Arthur or Rakitic.
And Vidal can play only instead of Coutinho, NOT with him.
Or, Vidal can play in 442 without Dembele, or in 433 with Coutinho-Suarez-Messi.