Even if it did. Any defence with two out and out play makers who cannot protect it would leak goals like a bucket with holes. Even if the opposition saw the ball only 40 percent of the time.
The thing is them playing together was never the issue. The person who started the thread was wondering whether people would prefer to see Xavi play alongside Scholes instead of Carrick. That was back in 2007.
He already plays in a deeper role. He just isn't holding player. Nor would he be of any use alongside another out and out playmaker incapable of defending, whilst he has to do the job of protecting his back 4. In a side that doesn't press like Barca yet has one one out and out winger who can't defend, and another who can on he opposing flanks.
So in your opnion he would comfortably protect a back alongside Paul Scholes of 2007 in a 2 man partnership?
Xavi started his career as Guaridola's replacement in the very role Busquets currently plays. It also almost cost him his Barca career. The idea that he'd be great as a holding player in team that doesnt press like Barca, most especially alongside Scholes of the last 3-4 years makes no sense at all.
Xavi started his career as Guaridola's replacement in the very role Busquets currently plays. It also almost cost him his Barca career. The idea that he'd be great as a holding player in team that doesnt press like Barca, most especially alongside Scholes of the last 3-4 years makes no sense at all.
Not the point. He still has all the weaknesses in his game that made him initially fail in the role. Having him anchor a midfield alongside a Scholes would be the same as trying to get a Pirlo to do it. Or Paul Scholes himself for that matter. He simply doesn't have the defensive awareness required for the role. The role of being a protector in chief of a back 4. That is why his career took off the moment he was relieved of duty in that Guardiola role.
He doesn't have the defensive awareness required. Xavi is Paul Scholes with superior work rate and interception skills. If you think he can play that role you must also believe Scholes would have made an excellent holding player.
Simply? A holding player is useless without it. Xavi just like Scholes has never had it. They can defend. But they lack the ability to defend a back 4.
So am I. He still has the very same weakness that made him not succeed in the Guardiola role.
He'd be freaking raped alongside a Scholes.
He plays alongside Xabi Alonso or Busquets for Spain in a 2 man holding partnership and he still always leaves all the direct protecting of the back 4 to them. The only thing he helps them do is double team in similar fashion to what Scholes has done with all his partners at United. The same way Pirlo did for Italy alongside Gatusso.
That isn't the point at all
He can't play it because he doesn't have the defensive awareness required and he has never had it. There is no other reason why.
Frankly there shouldn't be anything to answer. Anyone discussing holding players must already know that defensive awareness is the most important facet of an anchor man's play. Just remember Makelele in his pomp or watch a De jong play.
1x World Cup
1x European Championship
6x Spanish league titles
3x Champions League titles
1x Spanish Cup
5x Spanish Super Cups
2x European Super Cups
1x World Club Cup
. Giggsy!!
Maybe not internationally, but at club level he has more in all the English equivalents, and only 1 less European Cup. If we're talking variety of medals as opposed to volume of medals, the France '98-2000 team would be up there.
1x World Cup
1x European Championship
6x Spanish league titles
3x Champions League titles
1x Spanish Cup
5x Spanish Super Cups
2x European Super Cups
1x World Club Cup
