Rakitic has actually been one of the better performers this year. I don't understand why some people keep saying Rakitic is just some workhorse. Wow far from the truth-he has been asked to play a role for the team like many other players at Barca past and present. When he was bought from Sevilla Rakitic was playing as a number 10 for them and was their main man - he was dangerous, he dribbled, passed, great short and pinpoint long passes, crossing, set pieces -corners, free kicks -,creativity,talent and great shots, goals and assists in that role for them-that is the role he truly excelled with more freedom to express himself. Check out the year they won the UEFA cup for example when he was their main man and captain. He played fantastically in an attacking role - a creative midfield, number 10 role and I remember the pundits here in the UK gushing over him and praising him in that role for Sevilla. When he came to Barca like most players he was asked to go from being the main man at his club and the main creative man at Sevilla to playing a much more restrictive and defensive role in midfield which does not show many of his attacking qualities. All credit to him, unlike many before him he managed to change his role completely to adapt to the Barca system, changed his game to be far more defensively minded and often had to babysit Alves and others for large parts of the game in the past, while still scoring important goals. This has nothing to do with 442 - Rakitic has excelled at other systems and roles in his career and other clubs before which got him to Barca in the first place. Many other players have failed to do this at Barca coming from other clubs - failed to adapt and many other players will fail to do this in the future. Not many players have managed to completely change their game, become part of the team to fit in at Barca. So credit to Raki as I feel some are being harsh when there are many others who performed far worse this season - he has objectively been one of the better players this season. You will see in the future many players we buy will fail to adapt to the Barca system - other players that people will want to buy will fail to adapt to the system, flop totally and fail to make it here. So I feel Rakitic deserves credit as he has played many high level games for Barcelona over the years and, in a new , more defensive and less creative role than he was used to in the past. So as one of a group of players who has sacrificed himself and succeeded in becoming part of the Barca system I give Raki a big thumbs up. Yes there have been some ups and downs but that happens with all players during a long season and as stated there have been many who have performed far worse than him this season. He is still a very important player - just like the manager said.
