FanPost

Our best MF trio.

The Copa games and last season has reaffirmed my opinion as to our best midfield trio. It does not need saying that the midfield 3 is a core part of any successful full 4-3-3 that is expected to dictate proceedings.

We are overbooked in midfield. The lavish choices are welcomed but an overly daring wage bill might not be a desirable situation. This is why it is is desirable to often dispense with talent if their absence can be largely mitigated.

- Coutinho - Arthur -

- De Jong -

I no longer trust the legs of Busquets. A further season whereby such a (now) mistake-prone and slow(er than before) player is tasked with shielding our CDs is not encouraging. De Jong is the player that provides what Busquets used to in 2009-2015 the closest. His playmaking skills and amazing ability to play with his back to the goal is an ideal player to be our deep-lying playmaker. His interception numbers are also a highlight.

Arthur. Control. Cool on the ball. Engine. An always available outlet for passing. Tracks back and has a near perfect sense of positioning. His spot is not that disputed.

Before we sell Coutinho, perhaps one should wonder if we have any other CM capable of providing what he does. Coutinho is a long-shot asset and with him, no defence will stand comfortable parking the bus. He can be positioned so as to disrupt the opponent’s lines. Also, his passing and flair is among the Top 10 in the world right now. He is the difference between aimless tiki-taka and more menacing vertical tiki-taka. He is not a dribbler, hence his poor showing as a LW, but his trickery on the ball will be useful to ensure we move the ball around in an unpredictable manner.

<em>This does not represent the views of Barca Blaugranes or SBNation</em>