10 Glaring Problems At FC Barcelona

5. The Declining Form Of The Big Three

In 2010, Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez were voted as the best three players in the world, a feat never before matched by a club. It is for this reason alone that writing Barcelona off would be foolish. If Iniesta and Xavi can once again dominate possession in midfield and control games, then Barça could very well click this season. Messi will always score 20+ goals and the addition of Rakític will mean that Iniesta can finally slot into his favoured role again. But this isn't 2010 and Xavi and Iniesta are no longer the best midfielders in the game. Football has changed. Players like Schweinstiger, Vidal and Yaya Toure have slowly redefined the central midfield role with box to box players now more important than ever. Xavi and Iniesta possess all the skill in the world but they are not genetically blessed with an amazing work rate in both attack and defence. Xavi's u-turn might yet prove to be a master stroke by Luis Enrique but it will take the combined efforts of all three to land a title this season. Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have strengthened yet again so the hopes of Barcelona rest on the trio yet again and that might be a step too far; even for 2010's three best players.
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Contributor

Barry O' Halloran has been a whatculture writer for the last two years and having recently graduated, now plans on writing about games & movies until his hands fall off. Follow him on twitter!