Ivan Rakitić

[Arizona Scott]

RakiStats as shown above .. dismal .

We need Valverde gone and quick followed immediately by Rakitic ..

Couple of RakiStats ..

In La Liga, Rakitic averages 0.9 tackles per game, which is 193rd in the league.

He wins 1.1 aerial duels a game, which is 154th in the league.

He also averages 1.5 interceptions a game, which is 35th in the league.

This really isn't relevant unless you stack each one to alternatives like Busi and Arthur and Vidal and Alena and Roberto. What matters is production relative to the current options we have, not compared to all league players.

Edited--right as I posted BBZ did some of this work for you.

 

[Arizona Scott]

...

Raki, Busi and Vidal will be gone.
But imo, Arthur will most likely slowly turn into a 4th pick midfielder under any coach.
Unless if he suddenly improves his forward game.
But basics of psychology and a human nature say that something like that is highly unlikely.

Pretty much spot on though I have a few exceptions. Given it was Arthur's 1st year in Europe, I feel much more confident of him being a long term Barca quality CM. Also, it will be hard to get anything for Vidal so I suspect he will stay. Busi I fear is so entrenched we may not move him though I think so clearly we should. Those complaining about Rakitic's wages should look at Busi's.

 

[xXKonan]

BBZ still fighting a losing battle Even after his ideas have been proven fraudulent.

Got to give him credit for that.

 

[FCBfan22]

Since we are talking about Rakitic vs Arthur.
So... Rakitic's numbers are bad, as you and a guy from that twitter post said.

So:
Tackles:
Rakitic 0,9 per game
Arthur 0,6 per game

Interceptions:
Rakitic 1,5
Arthur 0,3

Arials (clearances from Whoscored):
Rakitic 0,8
Arthur 0,3

So, basically:
Rakitic is shit, as you all agree.
Yet, Arthur is even more shit than him: in goals, shots on goals, assists, all types of defending, aerial duels.
The only skill which Arthur is offering is: press resistance when an opponent is pressing us.

Since nobody is pressing us at Camp Nou, I have no idea what will Arthur do in majority of matches.
You guys wonder why Arthur was subbed at 0:2?
Lol, what can he offer when we are losing? Nothing.

I'll repeat again:
Raki is bad and past it.
Busi is bad and past it.
Vidal is slightly better but past it.
Arthur is weaker than all of them EXCEPT in press resistance.

Raki, Busi and Vidal will be gone.
But imo, Arthur will most likely slowly turn into a 4th pick midfielder under any coach.
Unless if he suddenly improves his forward game.
But basics of psychology and a human nature say that something like that is highly unlikely.

Per game yeah? Rakitić almost always played 90. Arthur played 60 minutes, mostly.

So, on tackles, they are equal. But Rakitić is better in Aerials (for cca 0,25 p/g based on minutes, which is expected because of height) and in interceptions (for 0,7 p/g, which is expected, since Rakitić plays almost next to Busquets in Valverde's "system").

You can compare them when they play the same position, but that was mostly not the case.

 

[Arizona Scott]

Per game yeah? Rakitić almost always played 90. Arthur played 60 minutes, mostly.

So, on tackles, they are equal. But Rakitić is better in Aerials (for cca 0,25 p/g based on minutes, which is expected because of height) and in interceptions (for 0,7 p/g, which is expected, since Rakitić plays almost next to Busquets in Valverde's "system").

You can compare them when they play the same position, but that was mostly not the case.

Usually those stats are adjusted for minutes played, in fact makes it an advantage for a player who knows he an go all out for 30-60 (often Arthur or Vidal) instead of preparing to play 90 like Rakitic and Busquets are most often asked to do. Rakitic has also played all midfield spots, the only one too. Finally you can't penalize a player for height factoring in clearance or headers, if Pique or VVD were a foot shorter they would not help their teams in the air very much. But luckily for them and their team they are not a foot shorter than they are.

 

[FCBfan22]

Usually those stats are adjusted for minutes played, in fact makes it an advantage for a player who knows he an go all out for 30-60 (often Arthur or Vidal) instead of preparing to play 90 like Rakitic and Busquets are most often asked to do. Rakitic has also played all midfield spots, the only one too. Finally you can't penalize a player for height factoring in clearance or headers, if Pique or VVD were a foot shorter they would not help their teams in the air very much. But luckily for them and their team they are not a foot shorter than they are.

All true, but doesn't one expect a player who plays CDM in his every 3rd or 4th game to have more tackles on average than a player who strictly plays as the most advanced CM on the pitch?

 

[Kul_z]

Well mate, you seem to be more like an exception than the rule. Even if now, Ivan's footballing mediocrity became indefensible even for his own mother.
But I always respect objective people when I see some, so fair play to you.

Its not a fair play, its reality. He was never a barca starting material, but a quality wc back-up. Right now, not even that.

 

[Cule4life]

Somebody tell BBZ football is not played on paper. For e.g. Rakitic's hiding under pressure and not making himself available for a pass won't show up on his dear stats. Its shocking (well not that shocking) lack of football understanding/acumen to try to reduce football to just numbers

 

[Arizona Scott]

Somebody tell BBZ football is not played on paper. For e.g. Rakitic's hiding under pressure and not making himself available for a pass won't show up on his dear stats. Its shocking (well not that shocking) lack of football understanding/acumen to try to reduce football to just numbers

And even better than using composite stats, someone please explain how football is played in the virtual world of the eyes of homers and haters from the internet peanut galleries. Way more validity that smunchy advanced analytics.

 

[mc_lovin]

Our squad would definitely look stronger with Rakitic next season, but there cant be change with him. We need to trust other players.

 

[Messigician]

So done with Rakitic, his legs have gone at this point and he's lost his attacking instinct

 

[Zidane82]

Since we are talking about Rakitic vs Arthur.
So... Rakitic's numbers are bad, as you and a guy from that twitter post said.

So:
Tackles:
Rakitic 0,9 per game
Arthur 0,6 per game

Interceptions:
Rakitic 1,5
Arthur 0,3

Arials (clearances from Whoscored):
Rakitic 0,8
Arthur 0,3

So, basically:
Rakitic is shit, as you all agree.
Yet, Arthur is even more shit than him: in goals, shots on goals, assists, all types of defending, aerial duels.
The only skill which Arthur is offering is: press resistance when an opponent is pressing us.

Since nobody is pressing us at Camp Nou, I have no idea what will Arthur do in majority of matches.
You guys wonder why Arthur was subbed at 0:2?
Lol, what can he offer when we are losing? Nothing.

I'll repeat again:
Raki is bad and past it.
Busi is bad and past it.
Vidal is slightly better but past it.
Arthur is weaker than all of them EXCEPT in press resistance.

Raki, Busi and Vidal will be gone.
But imo, Arthur will most likely slowly turn into a 4th pick midfielder under any coach.
Unless if he suddenly improves his forward game.
But basics of psychology and a human nature say that something like that is highly unlikely.

For a while many were saying how quickly and seamlessly Arthur had fitted in .. fans and ex players noted how he controlled , caressed and even passed the ball like Xavi !!

Play Arthur alongside FDJ , backed by Busqs and we will be great .

De Ligt is also an important piece as well .. fingers crossed

 

[Cule4life]

And even better than using composite stats, someone please explain how football is played in the virtual world of the eyes of homers and haters from the internet peanut galleries. Way more validity that smunchy advanced analytics.

Oh yeah everybody criticizing Raki is just a hater. Top level discussion there mate.

 

[BBZ8800]

For a while many were saying how quickly and seamlessly Arthur had fitted in .. fans and ex players noted how he controlled , caressed and even passed the ball like Xavi !!

Play Arthur alongside FDJ , backed by Busqs and we will be great .

De Ligt is also an important piece as well .. fingers crossed

I am reading myths and excuses about Arthur all the time:
1. he can't pass forward because Rakitic, Busi, Suarez and Coutinho are not moving off the ball and so he has to play backpasses, because our team sucks
2. or, whatever he is doing badly=EV is guilty

Well, then, an interesting test.
Open any match from Gremio or from a Brasilian NT team where there is no Rakitic and EV around him, and Arthur still play exactly the same as at Barca.
Backpass, sideway pass, backpass, running with a ball, backpass, running with a ball, falling to the ground, running with a ball, backpass.

I don't think that I am exaggerating. His only virtues currently are: press resistance and getting the ball out of our half and moving off the ball.
In other areas, he is average or poor: scoring, shooting, assists, key passes, forward passes, all types of defending, pace, stamina, aerial duels.
The main virtue of midfielders is to pass and create.
We bought a guy who is average/meh in a main skill.
An analogy would be: Pedro or an attacker who is not scoring, but he has good workrate and defending.

Anyway, this is how Arthur plays without EV and Rakitic.
Does it look any different to what he is doing at Barca?

So, if you sack EV and sell Rakitic, why do you think that Arthur will also start to play differently?

 

[mc_lovin]

Chill, hes young and learning. His performances vs Sevilla and Madrid were very impressive. Just give him time. I have no doubt he wil succeed here.