Rafael Márquez

[DivineVisitor]

Personally i believe he has done well this season. It wasn't that long ago that 80% of Pique's passes were to Valdes. Fortunatly he has grown alot and i agree he has become somewhat of a leader in defence and im happy he has done. But i don't think Marquez is as shaky as you make him out to be. The mistakes he has made this season are probably on par with the mistakes any of our centerbacks have made. Though perhaps more galaring and easy to point out.
As for his attacking ability it is only a good thing. Hasn't he also scored a few good headers and free kicks this season? I would still say that overall he has done well. Look forward to his return from injury, that he stays in Barca and hope he is back to his best next season.

 

[Quash]

Puyol is scoring quite a few headers, Rafa has scored once from open play and scored a screamer of a FK.

 

[DivineVisitor]

Puyol is scoring quite a few headers, Rafa has scored once from open play and scored a screamer of a FK.

Quite a few being 1?
Though lets hope it's the first of many headers he sticks away during this last part of the season.

Thought his header against Madrid was his first this season so looked it up (admittidly on the ever unreliable wiki) and 'confirmed' it.
Seems Marquez has 3 this season the same as Pique, though no doubt a number of assists aswell.

 

[Metaphysical]

Meta you do make some good points. But I think you're being a little brutal on Rafa, Puyol has made similar mistakes that have cost us but gets very little criticism. In fact, on this note, i'd like to say I thought Puyol is playing far better on the left than he does in the center.

puyol makes mistakes, true, and he's being criticised for it.

the difference between them is puyol is a youth product, team captain, and doesn't injure himself going for a stroll.

 

[Quash]

Quite a few being 1?
Though lets hope it's the first of many headers he sticks away during this last part of the season.

Thought his header against Madrid was his first this season so looked it up (admittidly on the ever unreliable wiki) and 'confirmed' it.
Seems Marquez has 3 this season the same as Pique, though no doubt a number of assists aswell.

It's definately been more than 1. 1 in the league, aye, but Puyol has scored headers all season. Example, Boca Juniors.

 

[Sodamnsmooth]

It's definately been more than 1. 1 in the league, aye, but Puyol has scored headers all season. Example, Boca Juniors.

You obviously have some type of bias against Rafa. Where are you from? Where do you live?

 

[G.J]

How many times was Marquez injured before Chelsea? I'm pretty sure Puyol was out atleast 3 times this season.

 

[Quash]

You obviously have some type of bias against Rafa. Where are you from? Where do you live?

What are you on about? I was one of the ones who was defending Rafa, read the last couple of pages before posting. Plus, I was discussing goals scored, and was referring to Puyol. I am Brasilian, and I live in Scotland, though I don't really see how that makes any difference.

 

[beef-supreme]

How many times was Marquez injured before Chelsea? I'm pretty sure Puyol was out atleast 3 times this season.

Exactly. Although Puyol has been played more than Rafa, and Puyol's injuries were more short-term, but more often. As a result he's played more intensive bursts than Rafa has. Either way, i think Márquez is better than Puyol as a CB. But Puyol has a kind of ridiculous determination and self-sacrifice that Rafa doesn't have. Like when we were short of CBs I think against Espanyol, and Puyol played in spite of the fact that he had not yet recovered from his injury (consequently he was re-injured, but his attitude is admirable).

Truth is though that if we want our back line to develop, and we want to lay the foundations for the future, it may be best if Rafa went. He has never been a physically resilient player, and if we can get someone younger to replace him, I wouldn't see a reason for keeping him. Not when Piqué is so composed and influential in the back.

 

[Metaphysical]

I'm not saying we should definitely get rid of marquez.

I mean, it's an option, but above all else I think his experience and leadership are useful things to have about the squad even if his playing skills are no longer unique (pique is basically a tall marquez). it's a tricky decision, because whoever we bring in will be someone pep feels confident playing in big games. I suppose a lot depends on what impression henrique makes in pre-season.

and tbh, comparing players to puyol is useless. it's like slating carragher. by all rights he should be awful - he has little technical skill, no real pace and the turning circle of an oil tanker. technically, he's rubbish. but he loves the club and will die for the shirt, which makes him f'in formidable as an opponent because it just elevates every other part of his game. watch liverpool games. unless he himself makes the mistake (which does happen coz as I said he's technically pap) the guy is EVERYWHERE. puyol is the same. he's not our best technical defender, he has awful balance and makes silly decisions but his will to succeed for barca is enormous. after he fucked up for higuain's goal in the clasico, I knew he'd make up for it somehow and he did.

 

[barca7788]

our defense's gonna give a BIG headache at transfer next season. i'm pretty sure henrique will be brought from his loan spell.marquez and milito are long term injured so no one's gonna pay decent amount of money for them if we want to sell.puyol has been joke in these couple of years at CB but has played well as RB and even LB.and there is caceres who i think can be our future along with pique. sylvinho is going to leave i think so who are we going to sell and where do we need to think at?
personally i wd loan caceres out for a year.thats it. we can play puyol for back up at any position.
btw
Rudi Völler has said in an interview with German tabloid Bild that the Brazilian defender will return to Barcelona at the end of this season:

"There will be some changes in our team. Henrique will for example return to Barcelona because Márquez suffered a serious injury and we signed Hyypiä to replace him."

 

[IraqiCulé]

Puyol is scoring quite a few headers, Rafa has scored once from open play and scored a screamer of a FK.

Rafa scored two headers, one against Atletico and one against Sporting Lisbon.

 

[Sodamnsmooth]

I'd like to see Rafa see it out at Barca, retire there.

 

[Poor_Sunyol]

He won't we'll cash in on his as Henrique is coming and Milito will be back.

 

[Sodamnsmooth]

He won't we'll cash in on his as Henrique is coming and Milito will be back.

When?

Dr.'s can't even answer that question right now. He was supposed to be back in December.

If and when he does come back, will he be the same player he once was?