Ivan Rakitić

[FlaFCB]

He deserves a chance at redemption in the new system. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Samper should be coming back as well. And Roberto will be playing midfield too.

That's too many midfielders. Roberto, Rafinha, Samper, Iniesta, Busquets, Gomes, Denis, Alena. Can't have that many.

 

[RMU ReBorn]

A few weeks ago, I wanted to sell all of our midfielders when we played 433 since they were all crap (except Busi and 50:50 Iniesta).

But now, if we'll play this 343 in the future (and I hope that we will), Rafinha, Rakitic and Roberto are good enough for this formation.
For 343, we will need at least 6 midfielders (for the whole season).

So, we will probably keep Iniesta, Busi, Rakitic, Rafinha, Roberto.
Gomes and Denis will get a 2nd chance.
We will probably sell Arda.

If Denis and Gomes won't improve, we can sell them.

Also, I would still want someone like Verratti for the future.
Plus Alena.
And then these current guys Iniesta-Busi-Rakitic-Rafinha-Roberto.

Also, if we'll play 343, do we even need Bellerin then?
We can still use Roberto in this 343 as a hybrid Rb-Cm-Rm, plus Vidal can easily play as a Rm in this formation.

I wouldn't spend a cash now on a RB, I would rather spend 100M for Verratti and bring Munir back and that's it.

100 M for verrati ? Bollocks . why don't we use half of that and bring someone who understands our System ( Thiago)

 

[DonAK]

100 M for verrati ? Bollocks . why don't we use half of that and bring someone who understands our System ( Thiago)

Verratti is the closest to Xavi in terms of style you'll ever get.

Besides, Bayern not selling. Definitely not for 50m either. Verratti also most likely not for sale, but if PSG collapse in the Ligue 1 too, and is sacked.....then there might be an opening.

 

[BBZ8800]

100 M for verrati ? Bollocks . why don't we use half of that and bring someone who understands our System ( Thiago)

I don't why, I am not impressed with Thiago and I don't have too much desire to splash money on him.

Verratti could be available after poor results from Psg (he may demand a transfer).
Guys on Juve's forum are hoping for the same scenario (they are hoping that they can get him).

 

[khaled_a_d]

I don't why, I am not impressed with Thiago and I don't have too much desire to splash money on him.

Verratti could be available after poor results from Psg (he may demand a transfer).
Guys on Juve's forum are hoping for the same scenario (they are hoping that they can get him).

1-Verratti isn't leaving
2-Verratti is Juve fan,and IIRC he is more fan of RM than Barca in Spain like most Juve fans,even if he left it won't be for a club that humiliated them.
3-Thiago is probably the better player currently,he is in better form. But his injury historyis concerning and never mind the fact that Bayern won't sell unless he wanted out,and he seems happy there and why not? They are big club,beautiful city,gr8 coach. Nothing to complain really.He can win trophies their as much as Barca so it isn't like Cesc. He also doesn't need to find himself to be the one taking minutes from his younger brother.
4-I love all this hypothetical scenarios,but let's see who is the new coach 1st and what is the game plan he is going for. Lots of possible scenarios out there.
A new coach might not even demand a new midfielder and go with what we have,after all last season both Gomes and Denis was two of the most highly rated midfielder/winger in Liga. The new coach might have ideas to make those guys work better in new system. May be it will be the opposite and will change half of midfield. The possibilities out there are just wide open tbh.

 

[DonAK]

1-Verratti isn't leaving
2-Verratti is Juve fan,and IIRC he is more fan of RM than Barca in Spain like most Juve fans,even if he left it won't be for a club that humiliated them.
3-Thiago is probably the better player currently,he is in better form. But his injury historyis concerning and never mind the fact that Bayern won't sell unless he wanted out,and he seems happy there and why not? They are big club,beautiful city,gr8 coach. Nothing to complain really.He can win trophies their as much as Barca so it isn't like Cesc. He also doesn't need to find himself to be the one taking minutes from his younger brother.
4-I love all this hypothetical scenarios,but let's see who is the new coach 1st and what is the game plan he is going for. Lots of possible scenarios out there.
A new coach might not even demand a new midfielder and go with what we have,after all last season both Gomes and Denis was two of the most highly rated midfielder/winger in Liga. The new coach might have ideas to make those guys work better in new system. May be it will be the opposite and will change half of midfield. The possibilities out there are just wide open tbh.

1. Most likely.

2. Nope, his statements suggest otherwise. The only pro-Madrid statement he made was when he said he thinks they will win the league this season. Several players throughout history have done that. If you can't beat them, join em'. That's just an assumption that really doesn't seem to be true most of the times. See Kevin Durant in the NBA.

3. He isn't, I love Thiago, but he isn't the better player unless you're strictly talking about current form, but then again, next week Verratti might be in better form again. These things fluctuate. He's on his way to cementing himself as a World Class midfielder. He will stay in Munich.

4. I agree, Sampaoli FTW. These last few games even more the reason to appoint him so he can build onto what Lucho is leaving now.

The coach doesn't always have a say in everything. The coach is not going to stay for more than a maximum of four seasons. The club has to take decisions for the future too. The coach might not want a midfielder, but if the club see is as a necessity, then they will get one.

 

[RMU ReBorn]

Verratti is the closest to Xavi in terms of style you'll ever get.

Besides, Bayern not selling. Definitely not for 50m either. Verratti also most likely not for sale, but if PSG collapse in the Ligue 1 too, and is sacked.....then there might be an opening.

we don't play Tiki Taka anymore . Do we ? . Xavi is Xavi . Entire system was built around him and it gave way to much direct football after his departure . So i don't see the necessity of a player who is in xavi mould . Thiago is ideal for our current set up . But i get your point that he is not up for sale . Given a choice ,i would prefer Thiago anyday . This is by no means down riding Verrati and his potential . He is a gun player , but we need Thiago

 

[DonAK]

we don't play Tiki Taka anymore . Do we ? . Xavi is Xavi . Entire system was built around him and it gave away to much direct football after his departure . So i don't see the necessity of a player who is in xavi mould . Thiago is ideal for our current set up . But i get your point that he is not up for sale . Given a choice ,i would prefer Thiago anyday . This is by no means down riding Verrati and his potential . He is a gun player , but we need Thiago

A deep-lying playmaker who can dictate the play and control the tempo of the game is more valuable than any midfielder in Football.

Simply because there's so few truly great ones. Verratti is the better deep-lying playmaker while some may argue Thiago is the better in an advanced role, but we have Messi for that or can sign an AM/RW hybrid like Bernardo Silva to play that role.

Every team want and need a player like Verratti.

See it as Real Madrid having Modric. Wouldn't you love to have Luka Modric?

 

[khaled_a_d]

2. Nope, his statements suggest otherwise. The only pro-Madrid statement he made was when he said he thinks they will win the league this season. Several players throughout history have done that. If you can't beat them, join em'. That's just an assumption that really doesn't seem to be true most of the times. See Kevin Durant in the NBA.

3. He isn't, I love Thiago, but he isn't the better player unless you're strictly talking about current form, but then again, next week Verratti might be in better form again. These things fluctuate. He's on his way to cementing himself as a World Class midfielder. He will stay in Munich.

4.The coach doesn't always have a say in everything. The coach is not going to stay for more than a maximum of four seasons. The club has to take decisions for the future too. The coach might not want a midfielder, but if the club see is as a necessity, then they will get one.

2-He is a Juve fan and that I think is established IIRC and I think he is one of the few players they would break the bank for him specially considering he is Italian.And I wasn't talking about his decision,even in case unlikely scenario PSG accepted his decision to leave then the club would have a say where he goes. If they told him we will accept RM/Manu/City/Chelsea/Juve offer but not Barca I doubt he will be able to force them doing otherwise. Anyway this discussion is pointless since they won't allow him to leave anyway

3-Well we will disagree to disagree,I like Verratti but I still think he is overrated player right now. Thiago is in very good form right and I rate him higher this season tbh.

4-Coach doesn't dictate everything but his philosophy dictates who should the club signs,otherwise you end up with players who doesn't fit his plans. When a coach is new then you probably should take his opinion more because he might be here staying for 3-4 years. If a coach believes he doesn't need a midfielder you don't simply go and put your transfer budget signing expensive one and ignore his need for RB & RW for example

 

[Yashar1899]

Rakitic's price in summer of 2017 is about 50m and this is price of Fabinho of Monaco whom is great for our 3-4-3!
IMO, For 2017/18 - 2018/19 we need a Yaya-esque midfielder behinde old Messi not Xavi-esque.

 

[El Flaco]

[tw]840117659840602116[/tw]

Happy B-day!

 

[El Flaco]

Some few quotes from Rakitic's interview as a guest for Cadena Ser's program El Larguero

For those who understand Spanish, you can listen the whole interview from that link, it's around 1h and 30 minutes.

Spoiler: Quotes

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[tw]842744459162992641[/tw]

 

[behindbrowneyes]

Both goals are on him. Sub Gomes.

 

[light]

Poor match so far from Rakitic.

 

[Cool]

The worst match he played in Barca shirt.