Xavi Hernández

[Richard.H]

People dont understand that it is impossible to replace Xavi. Just as it is impossible to replace Messi, Iniesta, Ronaldinho, Zidane, Figo, Maldini etc or any other extraordinary player in history of football. We should not search for new Xavi, what Lucho hopefully does is building new midfield with new qualities to be exploited. Xavi is a Barca legend and his contribution to the success the club has had is incredible, but he is one of a kind, you cannot replace a genius and if his genius has been finally fading and age has caught up on him, we need to thank him and move on.

I wish this message was written and sent to Barca management in 2011 before they decided to buy Fabregas. Buying a midfielder to replace Xavi is impossible. He is truly one of a kind. I feel even more sad now for Fabregas considering all the pressure he had on his shoulders.

 

[Alarcón]

Xavi is irreplaceable? so what are we gonna do? play him until he's 60 or play with one midfielder less?

 

[Tomchin]

I wonder if our playing-style will change a lot if/when Xavi is gone.

 

[CatalinR10]

Xavi is irreplaceable? so what are we gonna do? play him until he's 60 or play with one midfielder less?

no , goat mode xavi is irreplaceable. People are just saying that there won't be anyone in the near future who could replicate what he did.

 

[Alarcón]

no , goat mode xavi is irreplaceable. People are just saying that there won't be anyone in the near future who could replicate what he did.

no one will but that doesn't mean there's no one who can replace him at this position or that we have to sign a player who is totally different. I don't get that logic

 

[Ghostmaster]

no one will but that doesn't mean there's no one who can replace him at this position or that we have to sign a player who is totally different. I don't get that logic

So maybe now is opportunity to buy different kind of player, someone who not only can hold possession, but also can score more goals and be more aggressive in defense.

 

[Galning]

Xavi is irreplaceable? so what are we gonna do? play him until he's 60 or play with one midfielder less?

You don't seem to understand. Is this a legit response? He clearly said that we shouldn't look for someone to replace Xavi as there won't be anyone who plays exactly like him and at the same level as he did.

"you cannot replace a genius and if his genius has been finally fading and age has caught up on him, we need to thank him and move on."

 

[Haruko The Goon]

Kroos/O.Torres, slot either one into the CM, and keep them there for a year or two, and they'll start producing top notch levels.

 

[Alarcón]

So maybe now is opportunity to buy different kind of player, someone who can not only hold possession, but also can score more goals and be more aggressive in defense.

If he can do all of that while still being able to conserve possession and control the game and fitting into Barça's system, I'm all for it. Barça are different from other teams in that we only play with 1 pivot instead of two which means that our central midfielder alongside Iniesta (who barely does any defensive work) has to support Busquets with a couple of things which includes doing a lot of defensive work and conserving possession. We can't expect someone like Fàbregas who runs forward like a headless chicken and is clearly much more suited to an offensive role to perform well as our central midfielder.

You don't seem to understand. Is this a legit response? He clearly said that we shouldn't look for someone to replace Xavi as there won't be anyone who plays exactly like him and at the same level as he did.

Xavi is irreplaceable in that there's no one being able to play as well as he did a couple of years ago but that doesn't mean there's no one who can replace him and his style of play. I don't know why people think we have to get a completely different player now, it doesn't make any sense. There are plenty of players good and intelligent enough to replace Xavi.

 

[Galning]

Yeah of course you can, don't think LeeRomeno thinks otherwise.

 

[linetty]

I wonder if our playing-style will change a lot if/when Xavi is gone.

I hope it does. It's dead now.

 

[te amo barca]

Xavi leaving = playing high-pressing football
let it happen!

 

[LeeRomeno]

Yeah of course you can, don't think LeeRomeno thinks otherwise.

My point is that instead of desperately trying to play exactly as we have been and trying to find exactly the same players for same roles we should instead look into developing the game style to make us competitive against fast, strong and counter-attacking sides.
Its just not possible to replace a genius, if u take Xavi out of the formula and replace him with someone who at best is 90% of Xavi, it still does not add up to 100 and it will make us weaker. By introducing someone who is different, but genius in its way as well, we can redefine the system we play in and hence once again compete for trophies. I would in any day get a genius, who we can build the new team on ahead of someone who just reminds me of Xavi most.
Thats only thing i am trying to say.

And for a fact, i think we should try playing Busquets in the Xavi role, i think he has alot more in him than just DM who is great in milking opposition fouls and defensive duties. I am also for introducing more steel into midfield, more power. In all fairness, neither Iniesta, Xavi, Fabregas or Sergi Roberto are very strong, with opposition like Chelsea, Real, Bayern, even Atletico, why are bound to lose, is because no longer we can pass our way through midfield, we get dominated in midfield by physicality. I really hoped that last season we would have at least tried Masch or Song alongside with Busi to accompany one of the midfielders, but i really dont recall this ever happening.

Saying that, i think Rakitic is awsome purchase, he probably didnt cost much, he is more physical compared to Xavi, perhaps not with as good vision, but he is definitely stronger, faster and probably also better in defensive duties.

Our biggest mistake is that we try to take the system Pep installed as a must, instead of developing it properly. Tata was doing great in first half last season, until for i dont know what reason it was completely changed back to same old in spring and we all know how that ended up.

 

[FC B]

I'm for Xavi leaving if he wants to play a few more years until retirement but I still hope he'll join the club afterwards.

If true it is also good and bad for the club especially now when every single compartment of the team needs / needed reinforcements and thus it is financially hearder and less healthyer for the club to buy a whole new squad at once even with the transfer ban prospect ahead.

 

[BerkeleyBernie]

So maybe now is opportunity to buy different kind of player, someone who not only can hold possession, but also can score more goals and be more aggressive in defense.

a.k.a. Thiago. But we all knew that.

Of course Xavi is irreplaceable, as are all brilliant players. The question is, does the kind of football Barça wants to play require a player in that slot who has similar qualities? Does Barça need a roving pivot? Obviously, not every system requires that kind of midfield (witness Netherlands vs Spain, where the Dutch bypassed the midfield entirely), but does Barça?

Given that the team is still likely to be built around Messi for the next several years, the question is really what system best suits him.