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Rakitic -- a player for all seasons

His ability to sacrifice himself in the best interest of his team and adapt to different positions is a valuable attribute in the current system.

By Josey Samuel
Ivan Rakitic

Terrassa (Barcelona), December 13: Ivan Rakitic's approach to beautiful game is simple but effective that makes him attractive to all coaches, regardless of their formation or system.

The Croatian was a key player in the Luis Enrique era, despite seeming to lose prominence towards the end of the Asturian's reign, and has continued to be a vital cog in the Ernesto Valverde machine.

It doesn't matter if Barcelona are lining up with a 4-4-2 shape or a 4-3-3 set-up, Rakitic is a vital cog.

His ability to sacrifice himself in the best interest of his team and adapt to different positions is a valuable attribute in the current system.

With each passing month, the ex-Sevilla man's role has changed. When the 29-year-old signed for the club it was to replace Xavi in the middle of the park, which is where he has spent most of his time at the Camp Nou and where he has performed the best.

Under Valverde and after the departure of Neymar, he is playing in a more defensive midfield role either alongside or instead of Sergio Busquets, something he was not used to before.

Whilst in the 4-4-2 system, he plays alongside the Catalan in a deeper role and has the job of covering for the likes of Lionel Messi, whose forward runs leave space in the middle for the opposition to exploit.

A brilliant example of Rakitic's ability was seen during his performances against Girona and Sporting CP, with the most recent being a particularly shining demonstration.

He gave more passes than anyone on his team with 114, completing 93 per cent of them. Proof lies in that only four players have played more than him.

With 1,673 minutes under his belt, only Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez have played frequently and he has missed just one of the 24 games so far, this season.

Story first published: Wednesday, December 13, 2017, 11:10 [IST]
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