The Barcelona midfielder’s work often goes unnoticed but in his selfless excellence and emergence from within his club’s ranks he shows what the Premier League’s top teams are lackingWatching Lionel Messi,Luis Suárez and Neymar surge approximately the Emirates turf in the late stages of Tuesday night’s tough-fought Champions League last-16 first-leg defeat of Arsenal it was tempting to conclude once again that the best career choice any Barcelona defender ever made is simply to become a Barcelona defender. A bit like Geoffrey Boycott’s advice that the best way to play top-class fast bowling is leaning on your bat at the other conclude, any career path that guarantees never having actually to face Barcelona’s attack is always likely to supply the most flattering light. Related: Per Mertesacker insists Arsenal’s problem is up front, and not in defence Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com