I didn't imply that. Just that during his prime, they never thought to replace him. Once he seriously declined, it was a no brainer
How many City players get into Pep Guardiola's Best XI?
- Thread starter Martial
- Start date
Rodri now at City is basically doing what Busquets did with a wider range, and also doing some of what Xavi did.
And can you name some of these other players that can do what Rodri does to a similar level?
But doesn't this apply to any great player in any position at any club though?
Yes, and similarly as long as Rodri is performing close to the level he is right now City will not look to replace him.
Rodri is playing a much more traditional DM role. There have been many and will be many. Fernandinho was doing it not so long ago. He's very good but is not irreplaceable in the way Busquets amd Xavi were that mandated a change in style. When Rodri leaves City they will find another to slot in unnoticed.
He's not doing anything close to what Busquets was doing. I can't think of anybody who has ever played that position in that way to such a high level.
Not many I think. Rodri might have a shout but not really. De Bruyne is probably very hard to field alongside Messi and Xavi and Iniesta were straight out better, IMO. My elven would probably look like this:
Neuer
Alves Boateng Pique Lahm
Busquets
Xavi Iniesta
Messi Lewandowski Robben
I think individually, his City teams weren't even that good. They are very balanced but not many genius level footballers in there.Alves Boateng Pique Lahm
Busquets
Xavi Iniesta
Messi Lewandowski Robben
Not necessarily, sometimes clubs do look for shinier toys even if they have good players for them (Claude Makelel at Real Madrid is one example among others).
I mean, technically they aren't even wrong, and yet at the same time it's one of the worst takes I've seen on here
Amazing really
So Busquets carried the ball forward as much as Rodri does & better, provided as much key passes, had better long range passes? You know damn well it wasn't the case, and we won't even talk about the physical aspect of their game and offensive input where there isn't any competition between the two.
It's crazy how there seems to be an incapability in puting words into all the things that Busquets did better, yet he was just better.
And you really think Rodri and Fernandinho are the same type of players? And that Rodri is the typical traditional destroyer defensive midfielder? Alright then...
If people are being fussy about Robben on LW.
Lahm never played left back for Pep. RB and CDM.
Lahm never played left back for Pep. RB and CDM.
Busquets was a better passer overall, better at dictating play and better Vs the press.
I would agree that Rodri has a greater range of tools which would allow him to play in a variety of midfield set-ups. At the same time however, Busquets is the best we have ever seen at one-or-two-touch link-up play from the base of midfield. That specific and unique quality amplified the Barcelona system. For instance, they were very good in 2008/09 with Toure as the 6 and he brought a wider range of skills to the role - more power, attacking threat and more quality over 20-30 yard balls (or shots) forward. But Busquets brought their possession game to an even higher level because his incredible tidiness and perfect positioning in tight spaces enabled Xavi and Iniesta to endlessly rotate off him with the ball.
- Better passer : In general I don't think so as Rodri 's long range passing is better and they're pretty equal with short passes. But Busquets was superior in the quick 1-2 link up play.
- Better at dictating play : This isn't any of their primary role but Rodri's been doing it the last 2 seasons for City (most especially this last season as Gundogan left) and he's better at it than Busquets for me. He's more mobile and he finds those passes that open up defenses more than Busquets did.
- Better vs the press: I think I agree with this point.
Thanks for the response, and I agree with your point. But what it basically says is that Busquets was superior at retaining possession and complimented Xavi and Iniesta very well, I've always agreed with this. But how does that make him individually a better player than Rodri who as you said has greater range of tools ?
That wasn't Busquets' job. He was asked to sweep up loose balls, recycle the ball and link up with the players around him. Defence by keeping the ball away from your opponent. There has probably never been a better player than him at that.
For carrying the ball forward and making key passes they had another two who were also arguably the best to ever do those jobs.
What Rodri does, he is not amongst the best to ever do it. He is merely one of many who are very good at it.
Busquets was a stone cold killer against the press, and that was a big part of what allowed that Barcelona and Spain sides to be so dominant. One of the best dribblers/most press resistant midfielders of all time
Rodri's one flaw is his press resistance, particularly against physical players he can't just shrug off through size
On the other hand Rodri is much more dynamic, a way bigger goal threat, more mobile and physical and tenacious defensively. Busquets had perfect timing and reading of play, but could be overrun or bypassed, and wasn't quite as tenacious in duels. He also just wasn't much of a goal threat
Busquets also better at quick 1-2 passing, otherwise they are pretty much equals in this
Rodri's one flaw is his press resistance, particularly against physical players he can't just shrug off through size
On the other hand Rodri is much more dynamic, a way bigger goal threat, more mobile and physical and tenacious defensively. Busquets had perfect timing and reading of play, but could be overrun or bypassed, and wasn't quite as tenacious in duels. He also just wasn't much of a goal threat
Busquets also better at quick 1-2 passing, otherwise they are pretty much equals in this
He does everything you just said Busquets does in your 1st paragraph (Busquets was better with the recycling and 1-2 link up) and some more though. You're still not naming the players that are just as good or better than Rodri though.
The issue is the chemistry of the Xavi - Iniesta - Busquet midfield + Messi. If Xavi, Iniesta and Messi are in the best XI, then so does Busquet. They worked as a unit.
Yes, they did.
But at the same time, I think almost all would agree that they weren't just "system players".
Their (obvious) individual quality surpasses their function in the system in a historical context - if that makes sense.
Just off the top of my head - Pedro.
That's a very good player who looked positively great at times under Pep (in what you could call a designated role), but who clearly wasn't anywhere near the individual quality of someone like Iniesta (or indeed Busquets).
(Or David Villa, for that matter - and he too is below Busquets.)
Busquets was a different level. The best deep lying playmaker ever.
Nah, Alves was a rapist but probably the best RB I've ever seen. Watching him and Messi take the complete piss out of teams was beautiful football.
The way he ghosts past teams' backline in position to receive the murderous through ball from Xavi, Iniesta or Messi for the cutback is simply disgusting! It was PTSD inducing for defenders and fans alike.
Horror team to play against back in the days.
If you’re picking those 4 Barca midfielders/attackers I don’t think you can pick Lewandowski and Robben as an LW. Messi never looked his best with a classic 9 and Robben at LW can’t even cut in! And you want people who look to keep the ball and make runs in behind, basically upgraded Pedros, though those are hard to find.
I can see a case for Robben at RW, Messi central and a right footer at LW, so Villa or Ribery I guess? Probably Villa.
There’s probably a case for throwing in Rodri and playing like the Spain team that started Xabi Alonso and boring everyone to death and having another big body to defend set pieces and just relying on Messi and one more goal scorer up top with Iniesta at LW, but it’s too ugly to seriously think about.