Xabi Alonso interview

[sitoca]

Was Barry EVER good enough to replace even a below-par Alonso? I doubt it.

Like how Lucas could never be good enough to replace a below par Mascherano? Hindsight is wonderful but at that point in time, Barry was a good replacement and fits into the bigger part of Rafa's plan.

[Craig_H]

O'Neil, Benitez, Capello and Mancini all seem to think he's a very good footballer

Where did i dispute that he's a 'very good' footballer? I didnt.

[Shaggy]

Barry is widely ridiculed now and I don't get it to be honest. He had a purple patch for a couple of seasons at Villa and he totally out performed Alonso. We all know Xabi is a far better footballer but Barry's still a good player, despite the fashionable derision he comes in for.

[Shaggy]

Come to think of it the ridicule aimed at Barry probably goes back to the World Cup...the big thing about his fitness and importance to England, and his subsequent rubbish performances when he clearly wasn't fit. Being hopelessly outpaced by Ozil probably has a lot to do with it too.

[Tee]

In all honesty, for me Barry was always an average cumbersome footballer. Never ever have I watched him and thought, "what a really good player he is". Never.

Rafa should also have worked out that at his age he was only going to get slower as well, so all in all it was a disasterous piece of planning that even Baldrick would have been ashamed of.

Xabi Alonso was and will always be a far far better footballer than Gareth ****ing Barry. No matter what Rafa says.

Thats just my take on it.

[Daniel 7]

You caaaaaan stick your Gareth Barry etc

He's nowhere near as bad as a lot make out though. Him and Gerrard would have been a decent midfield axis, especially if you tie that in with the potential of Kuyt, Malouda and Jovetic playing as the three in front.

[Craig_H]

In all honesty, for me Barry was always an average cumbersome footballer. Never ever have I watched him and thought, "what a really good player he is". Never.

Rafa should also have worked out that at his age he was only going to get slower as well, so all in all it was a disasterous piece of planning that even Baldrick would have been ashamed of.

Xabi Alonso was and will always be a far far better footballer than Gareth ****ing Barry. No matter what Rafa says.

Thats just my take on it.

I agree with this. Barry is a good player IMO and would be a squad player for a top four side. Alonso, on the other hand, is a unique and world class footballer, who is rightly playing for a club of Madrid's stature.

And as for Rafa wanting Barry, i believe versatility played a big part in that too, given that Barry could play LB, CM and LM. Rafa himself said in an interview, that he was it as replacing a player who could play 3 positions, for one who could only play one.

I dont think even Rafa thought Barry was 'better', he just felt he could sell Alonso for £20m, get Barry for £12m and have £8m left over, as well as a versatile player who could fill 3 different roles, to replace one who couldnt.

[Daniel 7]

I believe versatility played a big part in that too, given that Barry could play LB, CM and LM. Rafa himself said in an interview, that he was it as replacing a player who could play 3 positions, for one who could only play one.

Exactly this. This was a key to Rafa's footballing philosophy. I employ this same method in Football Manager

[Shaggy]

I dont think even Rafa thought Barry was 'better', he just felt he could sell Alonso for £20m, get Barry for £12m and have £8m left over, as well as a versatile player who could fill 3 different roles, to replace one who couldnt.

Definitely agree with this, which ultimately comes back to the point of the owners and Rafa working with one arm tied behind his back.

[Daniel 7]

That versatility seems to be key to the FSG philosophy as well. They would have been a match made in heaven.

I remember banging my head against the wall when he said he would be able to play Robbie Keane on the left though.

[The Birdman]

Where did i dispute that he's a 'very good' footballer? I didnt.

Where did i say you did?

[destinydude]

Rafa tried to sell Alonso for 16m. There were no takers. Arsenal made a last ditch 14m bid. Barry was rated at 18m'ish.

Never in a million years would Rafa have got Barry + another 6-8m player.

Add to that, Plessis. Damien Plessis played the first half against Sunderland and Xabi was benched. Plessis was so abysmal that we had to get Xabi on for 2nd half.

Try to hazard a guess as to who provided the assist for the only goal in that game.

[Shaggy]

And what a fantastic pass it was too.

That was the start of a wonderful season for Xabi after he'd been way below par - often ineffective - for two seasons.

[destinydude]

And what a fantastic pass it was too.

That was the start of a wonderful season for Xabi after he'd been way below par - often ineffective - for two seasons.

If there ever was a hyperbole this was it

"way below par" and "often ineffective"

[Craig_H]

Where did i say you did?

So what's the relevance of you pointing out all those managers who think he's a very good footballer, if you werent implying that i thought otherwise?