Pep's task was to evolve this team so they don't get stagnant (see Barca and what happened because they forced Pep out and failed to address potential issues until too late) and instill more hunger/keep players hungry. Massive task.
In an excerpt from pirlo's autobiography, it says that in 2010 (just before the world cup i think), pep tried very hard to get milan to let him go. He wanted him to rotate in midfield with xavi, iniesta and busquets. Pirlo wanted very much to join baca. Imagine what a team that would have probably been...
Pirlo would provide the same thing Xavi did. It's either Xavi or Pirlo, both would be redundant. It wouldn't have significantly improved Barça other than having depth in the "controller" part of Barcelona's midfield trio.
Well, count the top teams in each league. The point, I believe, was that a coach's task was to evolve their team to avoid stagnation...not that the roster added any level of difficulty (which, of course, it does). I merely pointed out that the task extended to all coaches. It's not like there are coaching licenses for regular coaches and coaches who want to coach top teams. The core of every coach's job is essentially the same.
I think Robben is one of the 5 best players in the world when fit. Problem is that he is only fit for about 30 matches per season.
IMHO Pirlo is a significantly better player in every facet of the game when compared to Xavi. If Pep were to base his player selection on performance Xavi would find himself on the bench more often than not if he had to compete with Pirlo.
For a long time I thought Ribery is better than Robben but that changed one year ago. Robben reached his absolute peak while Ribery started slipping a little.
I'm not sure of that. Xavi was mercurial in his prime, and he outclassed Pirlo in EURO 2012 when it came to taking control of the match.
I don't think Xavi personally outclassed him as much as the Spanish team overall outclassed Italy. Let's also not forget that Pirlo was already well past his prime by the time Euro 2012 happened. While both are past their primes, Pirlo has been playing at a WC level for much longer than Xavi.
Pirlo and Xavi aren't far apart. I'd still give the edge to Xavi though. He was the glue for the best ever club team and best ever National Team. I agree now Pirlo is in better form but also playing in more stable team.
If we look at their entire careers Pirlo has been in better form for a much longer period of time. Xavi was basically a great player for 4-5 seasons max whereas Pirlo has been consistently a top midfielder for over a decade.
But again, do you recall Xavi's early career? Shuffled around into different positions. He wasn't properly utilized and found his position until later, unlike Pirlo who benefitted from Ancelotti's early observation that he would be best deeper with proper protection next to him.
ROFL...I was thinking the same thing. Best ever team and national team? I don't think so. Not even close.
No other team ever accomplished what Spain accomplished between 2008-2012. Best club team is arguable, but best national team there's a clear gulf there between Spain and the others.
Also, I'm shocked at how knee-jerk this sentiment of Pirlo>>>>>>>>Xavi is. Xavi has had the better career and two years ago, we wouldn't have been discussing Pirlo vs Xavi at all.
No one is arguing they were the best national team during that time. Results speak for themselves. The disagreement was with the term "best ever" which is arguable at best.
No other national team won two back-to-back continental championships sandwiched between a World Cup in the entire age of organized football IIRC. Spain's results have been unprecedented, and I wouldn't hold it against anyone if they said Spain was in fact the best-ever.