Never_Forget40
Banned
De Jong-Vidal-Arthur could be a terrific midfield.
Ivan Rakitić
- Thread starter Barcaman
- Start date
De Jong-Vidal-Arthur could be a terrific midfield.
DonAndres
Wild Man of Borneo
The biggest problem with Rakitic isn't errors that lead to goal or nearly do. That isn't even in the top 5 of things wrong with him.
The things that ARE wrong with him can be boiled down to poor hips, poor touch, and poor workrate (for the past 2 years).
His insanely unathletic hips are probably in the bottom 5 percentile of all footballers, if not the bottom 1. It causes him to be almost incapable of changing direction quickly under pressure, and because of this he literally NEVER carries the ball unless it's a wide open lane right in front of him and even then he's slow.
Carrying the ball is critical for drawing players out of their static defensive positions to open up gaps. In fact, pay attention to football matches and you'll notice that a lot of team's "off the ball movement" to check in to space or make runs happens while the ball carrier is taking on a defender to create space for that movement. So people who say Rakitic suffers from everyone else not moving off the ball are dead wrong, because he is horrible at generating motion in the offense when he is on the ball.
Poor touch/technique is self explanatory, he rarely tries and even more rarely succeeds at difficult actions or maneuvers.
Poor workrate is the biggest reason he went from being serviceable for us to being an utter liability. The previous 2 abilities he has always been lacking in, but his poor workrate and complete lack of movement off the ball makes our buildup play way more static. You always see Arthur on the move, checking in and out, changing angles and directions. This creates motion and causes defensive disruption, allowing spaces for players to run in and the ball to advance.
Rakitic on the other hand sits happily away from the pressure and then plays football like a turnstile. Receives, turns slowly 180 degrees to look laterally, passes it to the nearest guy. Rinse and repeat. In fact it was this predictable, mechanical, unimaginary pattern that we see in his shitty pass against Liverpool to Alba that led to the error.
The things that ARE wrong with him can be boiled down to poor hips, poor touch, and poor workrate (for the past 2 years).
His insanely unathletic hips are probably in the bottom 5 percentile of all footballers, if not the bottom 1. It causes him to be almost incapable of changing direction quickly under pressure, and because of this he literally NEVER carries the ball unless it's a wide open lane right in front of him and even then he's slow.
Carrying the ball is critical for drawing players out of their static defensive positions to open up gaps. In fact, pay attention to football matches and you'll notice that a lot of team's "off the ball movement" to check in to space or make runs happens while the ball carrier is taking on a defender to create space for that movement. So people who say Rakitic suffers from everyone else not moving off the ball are dead wrong, because he is horrible at generating motion in the offense when he is on the ball.
Poor touch/technique is self explanatory, he rarely tries and even more rarely succeeds at difficult actions or maneuvers.
Poor workrate is the biggest reason he went from being serviceable for us to being an utter liability. The previous 2 abilities he has always been lacking in, but his poor workrate and complete lack of movement off the ball makes our buildup play way more static. You always see Arthur on the move, checking in and out, changing angles and directions. This creates motion and causes defensive disruption, allowing spaces for players to run in and the ball to advance.
Rakitic on the other hand sits happily away from the pressure and then plays football like a turnstile. Receives, turns slowly 180 degrees to look laterally, passes it to the nearest guy. Rinse and repeat. In fact it was this predictable, mechanical, unimaginary pattern that we see in his shitty pass against Liverpool to Alba that led to the error.
EdmondDantes
New member
Masterclass of a post
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My biggest gripe with Rakitic right now is this perceived, self anointed 'omnipotence' he seems to have developed under small-time Valverde.
At his best he was an adequate squad player who seems to think he's reached legendary status when he's nowhere near it.
Squad player which should be his role here, and after the multiple dreadful performances he pulled last season, as a squad player that he is (quality wise), he should be struggling to get off the bench and not be an undisputed starter here.
It was quite telling how he threw his toys out of the pram last season - I think it was against Real Madrid - when Valverde uncharacteristically hooked in off the pitch after he was having one of his usual horror shows. Game after game he plays like shit, the one time he was subbed, he bitched and bitched.
Zero spatial awareness, press-resistance close control, technique...and yet, ego like Ronaldo's.
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Arizona Scott
New member
The most balanced and on target post I have seen in a while. All of the midfielders last year had flaws. We are hoping a) De Jong barely has any while also adding dynamism in the middle of the park, and b) Arthur get substantively better and more consistent given his youth and last year was his very 1st in Europe. There is no way to get around he played above expectations last year, but he wasn't a consistent and dominant force in the midfield any more than the 3 vets were. I am expecting this year he is an undisputed 1st choice on the teamsheet, it is hard to imagine a player topping out at 23 and 1 year in Europe big leagues, but this is more a hunch than something to point to in data and observation, I could be wrong.
There is a lot to look forward to but the hissy fit over Aturo vs Rakitic vs Busi--all three on the + side of 31 and with substantial attributes and substantial flaws--is way too much arguing over peanuts. (BTW Roberto and Alena doesn't belong in any their class in midfield spots and should not even be brought up.) I don't plan to argue more about it unless there are more completely BS and one sided digs at any of them. Way too much breath/typing about Rakititic--I admit I could be wrong here as it is beyond stats and deep workings of the club, but I more concerned with Busi being the mainstay on the pitch , and a force in the lockerroom and the board/fans, that hinders our development.
Androutsos
Senior Member
He is neither as bad as some claim, nor as good as others claim. I think his time at Barca is over, if/when he leaves I envision him being that teams best midfielder, you could see it at the World Cup, but yeah his time at Barca should've ended last year.
EdmondDantes
New member
[youtube]2aWmTizk4Qs[/youtube]
I know the guy who made this video has an agenda and all, but nonetheless, it shows there's plenty more than just 'one dumb pass' here. Quite a few more actually.
[tw]1132577332965855232[/tw]
I know the guy who made this video has an agenda and all, but nonetheless, it shows there's plenty more than just 'one dumb pass' here. Quite a few more actually.
[tw]1132577332965855232[/tw]
Raketa10
Senior Member
!00% agree on this!
jairzinho
Senior Member
It's amazing how he managed to stay on the pitch at Anfield for 80 minutes despite being the worst player on the field. Anyone else especially Arthur would have been subbed long before 4-0. When Ernie finally decided to take him off, the game practically over at that point.
Raketa10
Senior Member
You forgot about Alba dude.
Sorin
Well-known member
Really? Whataboutism?
Alba doesn't even have a replacement on the bench while there could have been several alternatives for Rakitic. Not even remotely the same situation.
CatalinR10
Senior Member
why would the best or 2nd best midfielder from last season leave ?
Vidal hype is real. For me he had a good season, but nothing exceptional - a good squad player. Someone has to leave, no? Arthurs and Frenkies developement should be a priority.
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