What is tiring is your constant defense of every underperforming player and mediocrity at this club. This is Barça. One of the two giants of the game and the most successful football club in the world in the past 30 years based on trophies, worldwide recognition, footballing style/philosophy, dynasties, Ballon d'Or winners, having the best players in that period, including the GOAT (for sure in the past 30 years of football) and practically every other measurement.
Not only that we went from having 2 of the arguably best midfielders in football history (for club and country moreover which is a very rare combination) to the likes of Rakitic. In particular the Rakitic of recent seasons.
Actually we had (as did Spain) the best midfield in the history of football. 3 unique and generational players. Both in style and trophies like nothing before, nor since. Truth is there isn't a Xavi or Iniesta or huge Busi playing for anyone in the world at the moment, let alone 3 even if they had buyout clauses and we had unlimited $. And honestly the aging of these 3 impacted us far more than the fact we brought in Rakitic, and the alternatives to Rakitic havn't been obvious.
I will also add rakitic and suarez and bob and pique (chief scapegoat club) have also been while Barca has had the most trophies on major football even since Pep left--the history and legacy you are talking about. We act like last year wasn't a huge achievement because we wet the bed one night in rome. Last year I fault Valverde more than anyone for not managing the fitness and energy in the roster.
Look I would be all in favor of Rakitic being sold or to be on the bench, but we havn't had 3 players to do it. People are saying oh Vidal is so much better, well no he is not. We hope for FDJ, but he isn't here yet and even when he comes it is possible there is a lot more adjustment than fans seems to think. It is a shame these two couldn't split the minutes around Arthur and Busi right now---with spot minutes for Alena. Same with Bob (although Semedo looks to be about to make that happen), and Pique keeps being our best backline player outside of Alba. I was in favor of having Rakitic on the bench yesterday and starting Alena. Damn some veteran guys (most worried about Suarez, Pique and Rakitic, thankfully Alba couldn't play) are playing too much in Jan/Feb, AGAIN!
There is no point in defending mediocrity other than shooting yourself in the foot. That was exactly what destroyed this club at the turn of the century. That and an incompetence from the board. Something that this club has struggled with historically speaking outside of the Laporta era and most parts of the Núñez era although even that long era had its dark periods. Largely due to self-destruction.
The only way to get better is to get better players, or a better coach. Having said this Barca has been the best football team in the last decade. The dominant team in the dominant league, somewhat unfortunately, also frequently peaking before February. I have my issues with many personnel decisions from coaches to transfers and lack of quality depth. But if we run our players to the ground and they are not performing as well late season I don't usually think it is the players fault--they are trying to win, and summon what they got when called, managers have to manage and have the big picture in mind.
