Barcelona: Ranking Best and Worst Players for February
Barcelona are peaking at the right time, and February was a good month for them.
Defeat against Malaga was the only blot on a copybook that saw six wins from seven games in all competitions.
The usual exponents have come to the fore, but there were a few subpar performances.
Rankings in this list are based around minutes played and how effective a player was during their time on the pitch, be that goals scored, defensive actions etc.
Let's take a look at the best and worst players for February, beginning with those who disappointed during the month.
5. Andres Iniesta
1 of 10
It's painful to see Andres Iniesta as part of the worst list, but in the interests of being objective, El Ilusionista wasn't anywhere near his best in February.
In La Liga, he failed to register either a goal or assist. For a player of Iniesta's quality, that just isn't good enough.
The goal he did score in February came in the Copa del Rey tie against Villarreal, but that too was another game in which he failed to shine.
He remains a first choice when fit, but he does need to up his output.
4. Dani Alves
2 of 10
Dani Alves was squarely at fault for Barca's only defeat during the month.
His ridiculous attempt at a back pass to Claudio Bravo during the game against Malaga allowed Juanmi to nip in and bury the chance.
Such errors are beginning to creep into Alves' game, and it's perhaps with that in mind that Barca are reticent about offering him a new deal.
His crossing plainly isn't up to scratch any longer, and his tactical naivety was exposed more often than not throughout February.
3. Jeremy Mathieu
3 of 10
Involved in six of the seven games in February but only half of those appearances saw him on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, Jeremy Mathieu's most notable contribution in February was getting himself a yellow card during the game against Granada.
His fourth card of the season means he will be walking a disciplinary tightrope in the next couple of games.
Per WhoScored.com, six tackles across six matches is well below what is expected of a central defender. When you consider that three of those were made against Malaga, it brings Mathieu's lack of application into even sharper focus.
Questions about his age and suitability to this side remain.
2. Martin Montoya
4 of 10
It's clear to just about everyone that Luis Enrique doesn't fancy Martin Montoya and that a clean break from the club is probably best for all concerned.
During February, he at least got to play a full 90 minutes against Levante, but his performance was well below par.
That is something we have come to expect from a player who has never really progressed as far as perhaps the club might've liked.
Unlike Alves, Montoya is hesitant when moving into the attacking areas and balls into colleagues are either played too late or not at all.
On this form, it's completely understandable why he continues to be kept on the sidelines.
1. Sergi Roberto
5 of 10
Is Sergi Roberto another Barca youngster destined for the scrapheap?
Given a distinct lack of minutes throughout February, and indeed the season as a whole, it would be easy to draw such a conclusion.
Just 28 minutes as a sub against Levante is all the youngster managed across the seven games that were played.
You would've thought Roberto might grab the chance with both hands against a team that were not just there for the taking but had already been taken.
Yet Roberto somehow managed to deliver absolutely nothing while on the pitch. WhoScored.com details that he took no shots, made no dribbles, just one tackle—which gave away a free-kick—and had a paltry 1.2 per cent of possession.
Horrific.
5. Ivan Rakitic
6 of 10
Ivan Rakitic was in the right place at the right time to notch the opener against Granada and take the sting out of that game for the Catalans.
The final game of the month proved to be one of the Croatian's best as he begins to rediscover the form he showed at Sevilla.
It was only the second time during February that Rakitic played the full 90 minutes, but that should not be seen as a reflection of a poor return.
4. Claudio Bravo
7 of 10
Six goals conceded in five games throughout the month is the worst of Claudio Bravo's short Barca career, yet you wouldn't blame the Chilean for any of them.
When called upon, Bravo has been alert, agile and concentrated, which, when you don't see the ball for long periods, is a special quality.
There's no way whatsoever that Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be challenging him for the La Liga jersey any time soon. His distribution remains second to none and playing as a "sweeper 'keeper" has been of real benefit to the team.
Claiming high balls has also been his forte, removing one of the constant threats to this Barca side. And with only 15 league goals conceded, he remains well ahead in the race for the Zamora trophy.
3. Neymar
8 of 10
The first of Barca's front three in this list, Neymar continues to delight in his second campaign for the Blaugrana.
Three goals and no assists across the month represents a slight drop off in productivity, but the Brazilian has worked hard throughout.
His performance against Athletic Club was masterful and would've been a man-of-the-match-winning performance on any other day.
Against Levante, Neymar's quality was also obvious, and there's no question that he remains first choice on the left side of the front three.
2. Luis Suarez
9 of 10
Is the £75 million transfer fee even relevant anymore? In any other team, Luis Suarez would comfortably have been top of the pile for best player in February.
Five goals and three assists, including two wonderfully taken strikes in Manchester and an acrobatic scissor kick against Levante, demonstrate a growing confidence from the player and suitability to his role in the team.
His work rate whether in or out of possession is an example to all of his team-mates, and his place in the starting line up is no longer in question.
The Suarez of Liverpool is finally beginning to bare his teeth.
1. Lionel Messi
10 of 10
Lionel Messi remains head and shoulders above everyone.
There simply aren't enough superlatives left to describe the genius of this man.
Per WhoScored.com, the Argentinian was man of the match in six of the seven games played in February, scored seven and assisted for four more.
But for the heroics of Joe Hart, he would've notched another goal, which would surely have seen the Blaugrana safely through to the next stage of the Champions League.
The consistency of Messi's work is unparalleled. A worthy winner of the best player in February accolade.
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