MontyI have been wondering exactly how Barcelona will play should they do what they've heavily implied they will and bring Cesc Fabregas back to the Camp Nou. Their 4-3-3 formation tends to play with the two forward-thinking playmakers (Xavi acting more as regista and Iniesta as trequartista, but it's obviously fluid) with a holding player in the form of Toure or Busquets. However, the signing of Fabregas would give them an interesting problem: how do you play all three without a designated holder in the 4-3-3 that Barca have played since Cruyff and of which Guardiola is such a devotee?
One thing to do is what they did under Rijkaard when they had Deco: play all three without a designated holder and rely on the fitness and tactical intelligence of the three midfielders to rotate the holding position, something even Iniesta managed to do on account of being rather 'hustly', if not strong. This of course is very true to the principles that Barca have inherited from Cruyff, Michels and Totaalvoetbal. However, Rijkaard also had a tendency to play with Van Bommel or Edmilson as a specialist holder in the Champions' League, pushing Iniesta to the left-forward role. This could indeed be what Guardiola is thinking, perhaps bringing in Busquets in the Champions' League games.
One other possibility is as a way to prolong Xavi's career; by saving the great playmaker's legs and playing him in the position that Guardiola himself occupied, as the holding-player-cum-deep-lying-creator, with Fabregas and Iniesta operating ahead of him. This would also provide a platform for a smooth transition for when Bussquets takes over that role full time.
One side-note: if they sign Cesc, then it's very possible that Barca could field a midfield of Busquets, Xavi and Fabregas - not just all Spanish but all Catalan! What a rarity in today's game (even if Cesc did go via London).
02.03.2010
FeriAtsI seriously doubt they would play all three at the same time. Maybe against weaker teams at Nou Camo, but not in majority of games.
It will probably be a constant rotation between the three, two being on the pitch at a time. Xavi is now 30, to extend his career a couple of years he needs to play less games per season. Guardiola himself made his exit from Barcelona at a similar age as a footballer. I am sure he knows a thing or two about how an aging midfielder feels in the face of physical demands of the modern game
02.03.2010
JimmyGuitaristBusquets is an excellent player. There's no way that he'll move him onto the bench just to cater for Fabregas; I know he's good, but Busquet's is the perfect holding player in my opinion. Xabi has a few more years left in him. I don't know how they'd cater for Fabregas, apart from being a substitute for Xabi.
20.05.2011
JimmyGuitaristI meant Xavi above*. I always make that mistake.
21.05.2011
mojojojo101They wouldn't all play together simply. Busquets is too important to the team as a whole as it allows Abidal and Alves to maraud forward at will.
22.05.2011
