Xavi's replacement?
- Thread starter darthvader7888
- Start date
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Flavia
Guest
I honestly think no one can really replicate Xavi. Some changes will need to be made when he retires.
Irish_Cules
New member
I'm not saying he should be bought but Gundogan is definitely the closest player on that list to Xavi. Some of his turns under pressure in midfield tonight were identical to Xavi's. He's basically Xavi with a bit more steel, although not as good obviously.
Irish_Cules
New member
Ye probably on current form but I'm talking about Xavi at his peak.
Barca8
New member
You also have to keep in mind Gundogan is only 22 and will still improve a lot. But as of right now the ground work is already there and his similarities to Xavi are obvious.
The best answer to the question is where Barcelona go from here. If we are looking for exact copies of players (Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol) or are we going to try something different. Thiago is a "hybrid" player with qualities of both Xavi & Iniesta and could develop a good partnership with Sergi Roberto, Isco or Gundogan. All 3 combinations resulting in a different style midfield.
DavidVillano1
New member
Schweinsteiger.
Stric
New member
Xavi is a unique player, and honestly, when he plays well, he's the only thing keeping this very risky 4-3-3 together. I can't think of any other player who'd fit into his shoes well. Pirlo and Modrić are the closest thing I can think of. Obviously, Pirlo isn't any younger than Xavi, and Modrić is inconsistent nowadays.
Anyways, for me, two obvious choices are missing in the poll. Busquets and Iniesta. Nowadays Busquets and Xavi play on top of each other anyway, and occupy pretty much the same position, because Busquets is not the type of DM who drops deep between the CBs when the team is attacking, but rather even goes a bit forward. I can also see Iniesta dropping deeper as time goes on and evolving into a more distributing type of role. Both are great playmakers.
Having said that, I agree with some of the posts in the thread. You shouldn't search for exact replacements for players who are retiring/leaving, but rather work with what you have and adjust the system to the players, not the other way around. Especially when you have trouble replacing/fitting several players.
For example, a 4-2-3-1 with Busquets as a deep lying playmaker is a possibility. Mascherano or Javi Martinez would be the perfect type of DM to play alongside Busquets in that case. A 4-1-3-2, as I've suggested in the "Barca next season..." thread, is another idea. Anyways, I don't see the need to insist on a system that worked perfectly for one set of players, but probably won't work nearly as good for another, when the squad evolves. I abhor the idea of just buying a bunch of players in order to fit them into a pre-determined system. We are Barca, we have the best youth academy in the world, and many other great players outside of it, and it would be a shame not to use the players we have in the best way possible, because we insist on a system that doesn't fit them.
Anyways, for me, two obvious choices are missing in the poll. Busquets and Iniesta. Nowadays Busquets and Xavi play on top of each other anyway, and occupy pretty much the same position, because Busquets is not the type of DM who drops deep between the CBs when the team is attacking, but rather even goes a bit forward. I can also see Iniesta dropping deeper as time goes on and evolving into a more distributing type of role. Both are great playmakers.
Having said that, I agree with some of the posts in the thread. You shouldn't search for exact replacements for players who are retiring/leaving, but rather work with what you have and adjust the system to the players, not the other way around. Especially when you have trouble replacing/fitting several players.
For example, a 4-2-3-1 with Busquets as a deep lying playmaker is a possibility. Mascherano or Javi Martinez would be the perfect type of DM to play alongside Busquets in that case. A 4-1-3-2, as I've suggested in the "Barca next season..." thread, is another idea. Anyways, I don't see the need to insist on a system that worked perfectly for one set of players, but probably won't work nearly as good for another, when the squad evolves. I abhor the idea of just buying a bunch of players in order to fit them into a pre-determined system. We are Barca, we have the best youth academy in the world, and many other great players outside of it, and it would be a shame not to use the players we have in the best way possible, because we insist on a system that doesn't fit them.
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mixer
New member
He turns 29 this year(!) and isn't likely to leave Bayern now... Nonsense.
ceefoo
New member
Ideally it would have been Fabregas. But it's clear that he doesn't have the same skill level as Xavi or Iniesta and he cannot work as effectively in tight areas and find his way out of trouble, like X & I can.
So when Xavi eventually starts to wind up his career, I would like Iniesta to play the deeper, (Playmaker) role and Thiago to play the Iniesta role.
The Don's ability to read and control the game with his awareness, composure and passing ability, means he has the attributes best suited to play the Xavi role, but with his own unique style of course.
But given the age's of both Xavi and Iniesta (only four years apart). This would only be a short term replacement.
So when Xavi eventually starts to wind up his career, I would like Iniesta to play the deeper, (Playmaker) role and Thiago to play the Iniesta role.
The Don's ability to read and control the game with his awareness, composure and passing ability, means he has the attributes best suited to play the Xavi role, but with his own unique style of course.
But given the age's of both Xavi and Iniesta (only four years apart). This would only be a short term replacement.
Don't write 
off yet though.
off yet though.
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