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The team of the year is partially voted by people on internet if I'm not wrong, that could explain why...
Imo, the only undeserving players are Pique, Alves and Marcelo. Alves had a terrible year at Barcelona, he's not even number 1 on the right side as of today in the club, and there was nothing going on with Brazil... Pique was seating on the bench a big part of last season and was even questionned for the Euro... Marcelo may be deserving but I think Cole or Alba were far stronger and won major titles.
The midfield is the best midfield possible this year, sure Pirlo could be there but remember also that the Juventis didn't even participate in the Champions League last season. The mediatic coverage of the CL is so huge, and the Calcio is so under rated that this shoul be the reason why he's not in the team. I would have loved to have at least one italian/Juventus player in the back 4 but internet people don't watch anything except The Premier League and La Liga..
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Come on Rebs, you can't say that about Xaviiiiiii 
He's the best spanish player of all time! Mvp of 2008-2010 trophies and did really good this year despite of his physical issues. He's the master mind of the team, every ball goes through him and he always goes in the direction of the goal, while almost never losing it.
Every time Xavi isn't on the field, the team (Barca or Spain) loses the control that makes them so good against any team. Touré is great, he's the best player of City with Silva but they don't share the same role on the field... The only questionnable player in the midfield for Spain is Xabi Alonso because he's like half Busquets half Xavi, but he doesnt excel at one role. I would love to see Spain change their system to add Pedro or Villa instead of X. Alonso...
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On January 08 2013 12:34 WillyWanker wrote:Come on Rebs, you can't say that about Xaviiiiiii He's the best spanish player of all time! Mvp of 2008-2010 trophies and did really good this year despite of his physical issues. He's the master mind of the team, every ball goes through him and he always goes in the direction of the goal, while almost never losing it. Every time Xavi isn't on the field, the team (Barca or Spain) loses the control that makes them so good against any team. Touré is great, he's the best player of City with Silva but they don't share the same role on the field... The only questionnable player in the midfield for Spain is Xabi Alonso because he's like half Busquets half Xavi, but he doesnt excel at one role. I would love to see Spain change their system to add Pedro or Villa instead of X. Alonso...
I can say it very easily. Xavi as good as he is would be nowhere near the player he is in a different setup. Ive seen it for years.
Its not like he magically became as good as he is 2008 onwards. He was the same player.
And even the past year he hasnt been as good as he was about 3-4 years prior but thats just age I guess. Is he one of the greatest of all time. Sure, hes still probably the best passer in the game.
I know they dont share the same role. Thats my point and Yaya Toure while maintaining a high level also won games on his own in big moments. Xavi while having put in many virtuoso performances over the years did not do anything particularly memorable that you could argue lifted his team when they really needed it. Atleast not at the level Toure did.
I mean its just my opinion. I dont think Yaya Toure is a better footballer than Xavi but were not talking about that are we.
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Pandemona
Charlie Sheens House51493 Posts
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Pandemona
Charlie Sheens House51493 Posts
Well depends what kind of playmaker you want.
Mata's playmaker role is different from Xavi and Toure.
Silva playmaker role is different from Toure too, and Xavi.
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United Kingdom16710 Posts
Who voted for the XI anyway? Was it just players or a combination of journalists, captains, and coaches like for the Ballon d'Or? Apart from Alves and perhaps Pique, it's a solid list, though I would probably put Busquets ahead of Alonso. And I understand where Rebs is coming from about Xavi, and he certainly seems to have peaked a few years back, but he's still an unbelievably good player with the results to back it up. You can make cases for other players to fill his position, but I honestly believe Xavi would be on par with any of them, even Toure who has had an outstanding year. You say he hasn't had particularly memorable moments, but I shouldn't have to tell you, of all people, that that's partly due to how he and Barcelona/Spain play. And just because he wouldn't be AS good as he is in a different set-up (you can make the same case for Messi and a few others), doesn't mean his vision, passing, pitch coverage, game-sense, and fitness aren't still top tier.
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Pandemona
Charlie Sheens House51493 Posts
Lol funny tweet response from Ashley Cole
When Barnet striker Steve Kabba expressed his outrage at Cole’s omission on Twitter, the England defender replied: ‘No drama thou its cool this stuff happens #iwantspanishpassport (I want Spanish Passport)
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Xavi is miles ahead of Scholes as a passer lol, the red devil is good but it's not even close.
Maradona said it himself, whenever we see Xavi play it's like attending a master class about football.
Also I guess Busquets would need to move teams to get the recognition of the international press, like Touré did.
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On January 08 2013 21:06 Salteador Neo wrote:
Xavi is miles ahead of Scholes as a passer lol, the red devil is good but it's not even close.
Maradona said it himself, whenever we see Xavi play it's like attending a master class about football.
Also I guess Busquets would need to move teams to get the recognition of the international press, like Touré did.
Maradona also hates English Football. Remember all the shit he said to the media about Aguero joining Man City?
Also didn't Xavi say something similar about Scholes?
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Netherlands13554 Posts
No-one should take Maradona seriously though :p
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I don't usually take him seriously tbh, but for once I agreed with him so that's why I quoted xD
He also really likes to hate on Victor Valdés, which I find retarded.
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In terms of passing I personally couldn't separate Pirlo, Gerrard, Xavi or Scholes. I'm sure there are a few others who have pinpoint accuracy combined with incredible vision, it's a wonder to behold. I can't argue with Xavi's inclusion in the Fifa XI, but I wouldn't argue with Yaya Toure being included because he has so many dimensions as a player. He's strong, fast, a good defender, and a great attacker. Just like Viera he can be dominant in all 3 phases of play. If you were going to make a perfect team you would have to decide on the tactic and select players accordingly. The Fifa team has been selected purely for ability to tiki taka lol. A more rounded team would include Toure.
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Pandemona
Charlie Sheens House51493 Posts
On January 08 2013 22:14 sc4k wrote:
In terms of passing I personally couldn't separate Pirlo, Gerrard, Xavi or Scholes. I'm sure there are a few others who have pinpoint accuracy combined with incredible vision, it's a wonder to behold. I can't argue with Xavi's inclusion in the Fifa XI, but I wouldn't argue with Yaya Toure being included because he has so many dimensions as a player. He's strong, fast, a good defender, and a great attacker. Just like Viera he can be dominant in all 3 phases of play. If you were going to make a perfect team you would have to decide on the tactic and select players accordingly. The Fifa team has been selected purely for ability to tiki taka lol. A more rounded team would include Toure.
and a back 4 who could defend, as well as pass xD
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On January 08 2013 21:31 Littlemuff wrote:Show nested quote +On January 08 2013 21:06 Salteador Neo wrote:
Xavi is miles ahead of Scholes as a passer lol, the red devil is good but it's not even close.
Maradona said it himself, whenever we see Xavi play it's like attending a master class about football.
Also I guess Busquets would need to move teams to get the recognition of the international press, like Touré did. Maradona also hates English Football. Remember all the shit he said to the media about Aguero joining Man City? Also didn't Xavi say something similar about Scholes?
I just googled the interview. Xavi said Scholes was the best midfielder. Still if you look only at passing ability Scholes can't match Xavi I feel. The guy is so unbelievably good at it that it hides his lack of versatility. Like Rebs said, there is definitely some truth that Xavi would probably not fit into the majority of teams in the world.
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On January 08 2013 22:14 sc4k wrote:
The Fifa team has been selected purely for ability to tiki taka lol.
He says, as CR7 takes up his spot on the left wing, never looking to pass...
But yeah, I still see your point 
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United Kingdom16710 Posts
On January 08 2013 23:51 Ysellian wrote:Show nested quote +On January 08 2013 21:31 Littlemuff wrote:On January 08 2013 21:06 Salteador Neo wrote:
Xavi is miles ahead of Scholes as a passer lol, the red devil is good but it's not even close.
Maradona said it himself, whenever we see Xavi play it's like attending a master class about football.
Also I guess Busquets would need to move teams to get the recognition of the international press, like Touré did. Maradona also hates English Football. Remember all the shit he said to the media about Aguero joining Man City? Also didn't Xavi say something similar about Scholes? I just googled the interview. Xavi said Scholes was the best midfielder. Still if you look only at passing ability Scholes can't match Xavi I feel. The guy is so unbelievably good at it that it hides his lack of versatility. Like Rebs said, there is definitely some truth that Xavi would probably not fit into the majority of teams in the world.
I'm sorry, but define what you mean by 'lack of versatility', because I really don't know where this is coming from. He would almost certainly walk into most teams in the world, and great ones at that. His fitness level, at age 32, is still top-notch, as is his passing (as you mentioned), ball control, pressing, dribbling, and decision making. His pace might be lacking, but he has a good turn of speed which is pretty much all you need as a playmaker, and he also makes well-timed tackles more often than not. He has proved that he can get forward and score goals too, but his duty as a deep lying playmaker rarely let's him do so.
People tend to get too hung up on one aspect of a player, which is deemed his/her best. Xavi is about so much more than just passing, even past his peak. His lack of a physical presence is a downside, but it's easily compensated by everything else
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On January 09 2013 00:34 Telcontar wrote:Show nested quote +On January 08 2013 23:51 Ysellian wrote:On January 08 2013 21:31 Littlemuff wrote:On January 08 2013 21:06 Salteador Neo wrote:
Xavi is miles ahead of Scholes as a passer lol, the red devil is good but it's not even close.
Maradona said it himself, whenever we see Xavi play it's like attending a master class about football.
Also I guess Busquets would need to move teams to get the recognition of the international press, like Touré did. Maradona also hates English Football. Remember all the shit he said to the media about Aguero joining Man City? Also didn't Xavi say something similar about Scholes? I just googled the interview. Xavi said Scholes was the best midfielder. Still if you look only at passing ability Scholes can't match Xavi I feel. The guy is so unbelievably good at it that it hides his lack of versatility. Like Rebs said, there is definitely some truth that Xavi would probably not fit into the majority of teams in the world. I'm sorry, but define what you mean by 'lack of versatility', because I really don't know where this is coming from. He would almost certainly walk into most teams in the world, and great ones at that. His fitness level, at age 32, is still top-notch, as is his passing (as you mentioned), ball control, pressing, dribbling, and decision making. His pace might be lacking, but he has a good turn of speed which is pretty much all you need as a playmaker, and he also makes well-timed tackles more often than not. He has proved that he can get forward and score goals too, but his duty as a deep lying playmaker rarely let's him do so. People tend to get too hung up on one aspect of a player, which is deemed his/her best. Xavi is about so much more than just passing, even past his peak. His lack of a physical presence is a downside, but it's easily compensated by everything else
Neverthless. where was Xavi when Barca did not play with the high press and control.
Yeah he was still there. Look ofcourse he'd walk into any team. And ofcourse its not just about passing. But another playstyle limits his effectiveness significantly. Its not conjecture. Its the first 6-7 years of his career.
Interestingly hes scoring more goals now then his "peak" and he scored more goals before "his peak" aswell. The turn first and step that Xavi has is probably the best there has ever been but still hes always had it, you could see it before. Clearly something else had to click for him to achieve that next level.
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Well this position requires a lot of experience, it's about decision making, so the more matches, the better he becomes.
During his early years, he was young, and before Guardiola, the team was a mess. Look at Iniesta, are you contesting that he would not fit in another team? I highly doubt it, and Iniesta before Guardiola wasn't even a starting player in Barcelona. Look at what he became... Maturity means a higher tactical level as well as better decision making.
I agree though that Xavi needs a certain system to shine. The same system Pirlo shines in: 1 or 2 purely defensive players around him (Gattuso, Busquets) so he has space and doesn't need to waste energy on getting the ball back for your team.
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EPT
