God Serena
New member
No, he can't. And if we do end up being stuck with double pivot again, we would still never see Rafinha playing there.
Rafinha Alcantara
- Thread starter Plip
- Start date
No, he can't. And if we do end up being stuck with double pivot again, we would still never see Rafinha playing there.
clemente
New member
Yes he can, he already played here, people used to talk about how "he has Xavi vibes", knows how to control midfield or whatever. And if EV pivots again then there can be a CAM spot if 4231, or on the right midfield, he would 100% play.
Luftstalag14
Culé de Celestial Empire
Good.
BarcaMessi
Banned
Should extend his contract and give him more minutes. Then again, valverde don't rotate.
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ASordidGod
New member
Yeah, that's the problem. Rafinha's good (if injury prone) but not good enough to be a starter and at his age won't suddenly get loads better. Whereas Alena, though I haven't personally witnessed it, people seem confident he's got real potential. Trouble is, Valverde always seems to take the safe option, meaning if it's a choice between youth and experience, even though the youth might benefit more long term, and arguably in this case has the higher ceiling, he'll go with experience every time. I guess while Alena recovers with B team it can't hurt to give Rafinha a chance. If he takes it great, if not sell in Jan and prioritise Alena.
How can you be so sure he wont get suddenly better? Its happened plenty of times before. Some players breakthrough and develope at different pace than others. Im talking about world class and best player in the world player stuff here.
ASordidGod
New member
At 25? With the injuries he's had? I don't see it. I mean great if he does, but incredibly unlikely. Especially since, okay, someone like Salah who exploded at a late age, even assuming he's not a one season wonder it's no coincidence his improvement coincided with him moving to a different team, a system that suits him perfectly. Whereas Rafinha's been here his whole life bar the odd loan, it's not like he's going to benefit from a change of scenery, a suddenly serendipitous system. For me he is what he is. He's had a chance here, he's been tested, and is good but not great. If he now gets in the way of a young player with more potential it would be a shame. Is all I'm saying.
God Serena
New member
When has he played CM? I follow our La Masia graduates pretty closely, I can't recall him doing that. Most talk of him being able to play CM is mostly just people predicting what he could be capable of. He's a thoroughbred pivot who models his style after Busquets so closely that he could sit down and predict the moves Busi would make on TV before he did them.
Blaugrana Bull
HiiiPoWeR
Very glad he is staying. Rafa is gonna be an important piece this season.
Joan
Well-known member
From what I'm reading, it was Rafinha who turned Betis down, not the other way around. Suppose he seeks his return to Inter, but with his contract running out in 2020. and Inter not ready to pay, doubt we'll make much money on him. Stay firm or listen to player's wish, basically.
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