Xavi Hernández

ajnotkeith said:

I think the biggest thing is even if FDJ isn't that smooth with the ball his defensive work, stamina and energy is much more important to shield the defense

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Yes, in another system with no single pivot that could work.
In a 4-3-3 with a single pivot, where the pivot is delegated with the task of progressive play quickly and accurately from deep, Frenkie can't play there
He can't play there also because he leaves his position and roams as Ten Haag said, so his defensive work will go in vain

We don't have a replacement for Busi. That's the hard truth some here do not want to see

No.. Ten Hag said he cant play there unless restricted and if restricted he is not the full player he can be. Which is something that has been said all along.

No one is claiming FDJ is long term answer at DM but that he can take minutes from Busquets this season and can look again in summer.

Either that or change formation.

Busquets is failing defensively and not hurting teams with his passing all that much anyway. Real sat off him all game in 20/30 yds of space knowing he is little threat to take ball forward or to open up game with his passing.

Barca dont need a 'Busi replacement'. No team in world play a lone DM with his characteristics and will never find one anyway.

There was no Xavi replacement and Rakitic was further off than a lot of players available but team improved due to what he could bring in CM. It is an inane argument that have to carry on with players who cant run as their peak version cant be replaced.

FDJ, Nico.. change of formation.. have some other plan when Busi is playing like he did for 120 mins v Real or is clearly out on his feet in games. Cant play him every fucking minute and claim alternative and have to accept his poor games.

Messigician said:

It's done

🗣️[ @fansjavimiguel🥇] | Xavi has it clear: Busquets and ten other player. Sergio Busquets is not only the captain of FC Barcelona, ​​but also the extension of Xavi Hern?ndez on the pitch, according to the Egarense.

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Imagine xavi benching someone cause Twitter asked him to

Best thing is to switch to a double pivot of FDJ-Nico

we won't change our 433 long therm in order to suit a guy like FDJ. he either leaves or will probably be played on the right, with rakitic's role in mind. FDJ being the mid that makes runs into the box. don't know if that's enough or a good use of a player that we'll probably pay over 150M for(transfer fee+contract).

all this nonsense about playing FDJ as lone pivot is mostly because of busquets aging. FDJ has never been or will never be a good lone pivot, hasn't got the mindset and traits to play that role.

Red Jericho said:

Best thing is to switch to a double pivot of FDJ-Nico

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Neither of them has the footballing intelligence for that.

"Hansi Flick said, after the 2-8, that they targetted specific Bar?a players to press on. They knew that some lose the ball in dangerous situations. We saw in the mistake for the first goal, it was Sergio Busquets."Xavi must take this into account. In any case, with Busquets, Alves, Alba, top clubs cannot be beaten, which means Xavi's fate is at stake. This is Barcelona after all.

malvolio said:

we won't change our 433 long therm in order to suit a guy like FDJ. he either leaves or will probably be played on the right, with rakitic's role in mind. FDJ being the mid that makes runs into the box. don't know if that's enough or a good use of a player that we'll probably pay over 150M for(transfer fee+contract).

all this nonsense about playing FDJ as lone pivot is mostly because of busquets aging. FDJ has never been or will never be a good lone pivot, hasn't got the mindset and traits to play that role.

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Absolutely it is about Busquets age and performances and the fact he has been getting battered in big games for years.

FDJ as a lone DM is an option to rely on Busquets at DM less and account for games like Real when he is terrible and cant keep up with game often enough.

Rakitics role is irrelevant as not there in the team now and he is as different a player to Busquets as he is to Rakitic anyway.

Dont think anyone claims FDJ is a natural lone DM or should be Buis replacement for years either but folk who think he cant play there and do better than Busi in a lot of games this season are in fantasy land.

...............ter stegen
Dest..araujo.....garcia....alba
............nico......fdj...
................pedri..
.torres......fati......gavi

Why the fuck not, Xavi

gasgas said:

...............ter stegen
Dest..araujo.....garcia....alba
............nico......fdj...
................pedri..
.torres......fati......gavi

Why the fuck not, Xavi

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Try again

Gari said:

"Hansi Flick said, after the 2-8, that they targetted specific Bar?a players to press on. They knew that some lose the ball in dangerous situations. We saw in the mistake for the first goal, it was Sergio Busquets."Xavi must take this into account. In any case, with Busquets, Alves, Alba, top clubs cannot be beaten, which means Xavi's fate is at stake. This is Barcelona after all.

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Well said. Hopefully Barca reads it too.

I hate Bayern but they see things more clearly or harsh.

All of Xavi?s former groupies have turned their backs on him already? Looks like that people who didn?t even want him here in the first place are the only ones offering some support. Weird times.

As for the debate in question, I don?t like Xavi?s strong stance on Busquets. He should play less, his legs aren?t there, and he needs to be well rested to perform. But de Jong being folks? deus ex machina solution is short sighted as Birdy argues. He just is not that player for various reasons. He might be able to control his natural instincts and fit that role for short periods of time but do not be deluded that better teams would not take advantage of it. His passing is not up to the level and he will keep leaving the position to carry the ball forward. On the other hand, Busquets? weaknesses are well documented and real. I sadly don?t think there is a one on one solution within the squad. And by that I don?t restrict Barca to Xavi?s vision of football with a Sergio lookalike. There is no player at Barca who will perform well enough as a single pivot. Might be worth trying Nico there in less important matches but I would not expect much from it either. Changing the formation might be a step worth considering. De Jong is a talented player and has many strengths unique in the squad. It is worth trying to get the best of him and you don?t do that by making him play a role he?s not fit to play.

Messigician said:

Breaking

Messi and his family are unsettled at France, he will return to Barcelona in the summer to lead Xavi's new sporting project

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footb...elona-25955676

We probably lose Haaland as he won't want to play second fiddle but getting the GOAT back is probably worth it

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Imagine reading an article in "The Mirror" and thinking it isn't made up nonsense.

Joan said:

All of Xavi?s former groupies have turned their backs on him already? Looks like that people who didn?t even want him here in the first place are the only ones offering some support. Weird times.

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Been stirring the pot a bit recently, but to be honest the best bet is to find the best partner for Busquets and Pedri. Logical bet would be Gavi with Nico as relief for he and Pedri. It is clear to me that for the way we want to try and play, that that quartet are the most suitable. So the Xavi opinion on Busquets is quite fair.

Leaves FdJ as the odd man out, but he has shown in his Barcelona career that right now he is a rich mans Sergi Roberto. So rotation for Busquets (who should not be playing every minute of every game), the midfield and even the centrebacks and the right back. Not what you pay 80m for, but until proven otherwise the role he should have, and a role that should/would have him featuring every game.

Xavi should forbid Busquets from being in front of 2 other midfielders and pressing the opposition in the opponent's half. Defensive midfielder, so defensive.