At this point you're just being facetious, B.
First things first, Rakitic has been our worst player this season - not even you can dispute that.
So the argument that he should be playing right now is sturdily out the window.
And I disagree, I think our midfield is promising. The problem is in our defensive and forward lines where Umtiti never replicated his superhuman season, Pique is 3 years older, Suarez and Messi are 3 years older.
Put this current midfield in that team of 3 years ago, and we look monster.
Midfield is promising in the heads of our fans.
In reality, it has disappointed till now, a lot.
I have asked the same question on other topics:
2017/18: EV is a coach, our midfield was average.
2018/19: EV is a coach, our midfield was average.
2019/20: EV is a coach, we have Frenkie-Arthur, and our midfield is worse than in the first 2 seasons.
If you'll use an Occam's razor, the answer will be quite simple.
If you'll use a shield of protecting forum's favorites, then everything else will be guilty except for 2 new midfielders.
In 3 Months till now, all that we have seen from them is:
1. that they are good in home matches, where more or less even midfield combinations consisted of Roberto and Rafinha also always played good.
In home matches, they struggle in the attacking 3rd, much more than combos from the first two EV's seasons. Basically, a midfield with Rafinha played better than this duo.
2. on away matches, they struggle in everything: keeping possession, defense and creating chances.
But I know:
It is:
1. EV
2. Suarez
3. Busi
4. 6 attackers not moving
5. Roberto
6. aliens
Our midfield combinations in the first 2 EV's seasons also played with Roberto, Suarez and Busi and our midfield overall had more control and balance.
Not to mention what will probably happen when we will meet serious opponents.
Regarding Raki being the worst player this season.
Remember, when Dembele was injured, people said: give him time. He is rusty. He will need a few weeks to get back into form.
Also, some users posted last season: Dembele is rusty in the first 20 minutes of every game... You shouldn't analyze his 20 first minutes on any match.
When Semedo didn't play a lot, people said: Ev ruined his confidence. He needs consistency. You can't judge him if he plays 1 out of 2 games, lol.
When Todibo steps in and plays bad, people say: he didn't play for 2 Months and you are expecting from him to perform?
Now, how come that all forum's favorites get excuses for not playing, not having confidence, being rusty and similar.
But Raki, who played a total of 258 minutes this season=can't get any excuse.
With him: it is what it is. No excuses for him. He is just shit.
When Arthur played like shit for 3 Months last season, he was "injured".
When Arthur was bad in the last few matches, he was "tired and jet lagged".
I mean, someone could write a book with the name: "Barcaforum's 1001 most unbelievable excuses for favorite players."