Xavi Hernández

[linetty]

Another possible issue that I wanted to raise : how come does Iniesta show signs of decline whereas he is only 31 ? I know boxing is not football, but when you see true professional athletes such as Floyd Mayweather or , even better, Wladimir Klitschko approaching their 40's while being at the top of their game, and with the great progress made in sports science, a modern elite football player (apart from the wingers maybe) should deliver elite performance at least till he's 33-34.

Boxing comparison aside as it doesn't make sense. You can't put every footballer in one bracket, some decline faster and some keep delivering. Iniesta has already won everything, it's not like the hunger of winning all the time still pushes him forward. Also, his role in the team has been limited and different approach in the game is being asked of him. He can't freely roam forward now which means he can't unveil his true potential. He's an attacking midfielder and currently his task in the team is not primarily to attack, thus he looks very ordinary in comparision with the Pep era. Go watch the recent Ukraine game and see Iniesta is still brilliant when he can roam free and burst forward whenever he feels up to.

 

[Alen]

he already played there and showed he can play wonderfully there. Xavi was a defensive midfielder at the beginning. Rijkaard and Aragones knew how to bring the best out of him. I give them a lot of credit for that.

I'm pretty sure he didn't play there at in La Liga nor the EPL, i don't know about before that. It's a strange gamble to make honestly.

 

[linetty]

We're fucked if he leaves... can't believe he's still better than Iniesta

 

[Richard.H]

Was amazing when he came on. The ultimate game control cm

 

[dakt]

So he's leaving...

We're fucked with Iniesta and Rafinha

 

[Barcaman]

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Hamzah]

Best midfielder of all time

 

[Flavia]

We're fucked if he leaves... can't believe he's still better than Iniesta

Why? He always was. Xavi is the best midfielder ever. He doesn't have the legs to play too much, but he didn't forget how to play.

 

[Mido]

Xavi is Barca's best midfielder approaching 36... this basically says it all

 

[Alik]

can't believe he's still better than Iniesta

At this stage I believe our strongest midfield is Xavi-Busquets-Rakitic.

Xavi and Iniesta should be rotating evenly from now on.

 

[Barcadub]

I'd definetly have him for one more season.

 

[Ini8]

He needs to stay for another season. Still has a lot to offer.

 

[Hamzah]

Xavi is Barca's best midfielder approaching 36... this basically says it all

Busquets is an bit better right now because he's in his peak and can play every game. Xavi is our second best midfielder when you consider he can only play sometimes.

 

[serghei]

We absolutely need a world class CM next season.

 

[Alik]

I'd definetly have him for one more season.

He needs to stay for another season. Still has a lot to offer.

Yeah, given our transfer ban, he has to stay.

I don't see it happening though

Unless the staff realise that Rafinha cannot be played ahead of him.