As we all saw during Euro 2008, Xavi and Iniesta are two of the best ball-playing midfielders in Europe. Now it’s time they showed it for Barcelona.
Don’t get me wrong—the two little midfielders have been good enough for the Catalans over the past few seasons. But now that Ronaldinho has gone, along with Deco and possibly to be followed by Eto’o, this is the moment for the two gifted midfielders to show they can really carry the team.
They certainly have the skill but do they have the charisma?
Will we see them urging on their team mates, demanding the ball and getting forward into goalscoring positions? Will they take on more responsibility under new coach Pep Guardiola, who certainly led by example as a player.
I’m in Spain at the moment, taking a break between Euro 2008 and Beijing, and expectations are obviously growing about how Guardiola’s new-look Barcelona are going to cope without Ronaldinho and Co.
The coach apparently still wants a new centre-forward—Adebayor (I'd be happy), Drogba (no thanks) or Berbatov (no way Jose), by all accounts—but I wonder if the inspiration couldn’t come instead from those newly crowned champions of Europe in the midfield.
After all, we already have Henry, Messi, Bojan and conceivably Eto’o to play up front.
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Alby Jnr
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2 months ago
I dont really think Iniesta is international quality yet and i was shocked to see him in the starting lineup in every game of spains Euro08 triumph. On the other hand, Xavi is more than capable of carrying the team. After all, he did get spain going after they half-assed their way through the groups..
from 2 months ago
Ah but Sal you gotta see them play... they have something together they do not apart, their movement and understanding of one another can kill a team in the centre.
Iniesta has got the winners medals but the jury is out, he has my blessing I wish him well this season it is time to step up...
Enjoy the holiday...
Alby
2 months ago
I've always been really impressed with Iniesta. One of my friends was talking to me about how Barcelona was going to cope without Ronaldinho, and I just said Xavi and Iniesta, they are absolutely incredible. But I mean, if any team can cope without Ronaldinho, Deco, and Eto'o its going to be Barcelona.
from 2 months ago
Good shout Ian, I think coming off the Euro 2008 win the gap is not so great to fill they have a new sway about them they are winners together and much of Europe now fears these two.
I saw Barca a couple of times last season and watching these two play up close was amazing they know each others game so well and I feel strongly these two can be the engine room for the next couple of years.
2 months ago
Hey with Henry and Messi, Barcelona have some potent attacking options. I still haven't seen Bojan play yet, but from everything I hear he is something special. My one question is that I don't know a thing about the new coach, is he considered a step up from Rjikaard, on the level, or maybe a step down but still solid?
from 2 months ago
Up front we have weapons like no other team the future will be Messi and Bojan, Henry is short term as might buying Drogba etc.
But the future is Messi and Bojan. I saw Bojan for the first time on last seasons tour of Scotland, I had heard about him as he had scored 157 goals in as many games for Barca youth.
The first time he touched the ball all these Barca teenage girls started screaming "Bojan Bojan" as if he was a Beatle it was odd, but he is a kid and playing first team for Barca after the match I was gob smacked and I think he will be the top European striker in his mid 20's which is some time away...
We have a thing when appointing a coach he does not need to be proven for example Rjikaard was not even on peoples radar when appointed and he proved to be a manager.
Pep Guardiola played football as a player much like the way Roy Keane did... he is a young manager with new ideas who can speak his mind and has it all to prove... he can handle the big time and I think it is a step up in terms of appetite to prove oneself, time will tell but I am with him 100%.
Alby
2 months ago
i think they can play well together, and they've proven themselves in the euro. but i think barca should buy a striker and a winger. if they're going to fill the gap left by the departures of ronaldinho and eto'o. if they want to field a 4-4-2 with winger or a 4-3-3 for example, they need two classy wingers. messi is brilliant.
but i think they should buy another winger, someone who has proven himself well and has the reputation of quaresma or robinho. silva would be ideal. and a striker. i think if the rumors are true and chelsea want eto'o then maybe they should include drogba in the deal.
im not sure bojan is ready to be a first team regular at barca. he can be a super sub though.
good article.
cheers
from 2 months ago
Hey Zahi,
Quaresma was Laporta and Rijkaard's first signing at Barca' but proved null and void and we sold him to Porto...
We like every other team in the world need a winger who can cross, nobody can boast of a great crosser they are few and far between, Grosso of Lyon was the best in Euro 08.
My long term needs are a world class keeper, a winger who can cross as well as a forward who can score with his head. I'll give Milito the benefit of the doubt when it comes to centre back pairing but the jury is still out.
Eto'o has yet to be sold and if he is and that is not for definite but changes like the wind then we will get another striker no question.
Silva would be great but expensive.
Bojan's season of super sub was last year he should be protected from to many games with growing bones... but make no mistake he is ready.
Alby
2 months ago
hey.
yeah i agree about. there's no one shakier than valdes.lol.
2 months ago
hey.
yeah i agree about valdes*. there's no one shakier than valdes.lol.
2 months ago
iniesta is a great player i think he will step up in a huge way to fill the 'void'. he was in the starting line up salomon because he is a class player, Aragones obviously saw that.
2 months ago
When he`s there we complain and demand more.... but without him ...things just seem to look ordinary and flat.
The same goes for the Brazilian national squad.
I`m talking about the one and only Ronaldinho.
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