FC Barcelona is one of the biggest club in the world and its every football player’s dream to play for the club with such a huge history, amazing style of play and football discipline. Ivan Rakitic is one of them, whose dream became a reality after years of hard work and many excellent performances in his previous club sides.
Early days
He arrived at the Camp Nou from Sevilla as new signing when Luis Enrique took over as manager, in the 2014/15 season. After adapting to the club in his first few months, he became a regular in the side along with Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta in the midfield. With the addition of Rakitic, Luis Enrique added more direct and physical approach to the conventional short passing mentality and achieved a great feat by winning the Treble in his first season. Rakitic gave so many amazing performances during his first season, including his first UCL in which he scored the opener, and continued in following season.
He was regular in team in 2015/16 also as he was a key player in winning the domestic double in his second season.
Season 2016/17
However, after a good start of 2016/17 campaign he couldn't play against Borussia Monchengladbach because of ban, but neither was he involved against Osasuna nor Espanyol , as he was left on the bench. It seems evident that his importance has depreciated in the side if we compare his participation in 2015/16 and 2016/17 till December.
He played 26 games starting 23 of them out of 29 games Barcelona played last season. While in the current campaign he's played 19 (starting 16) out of 25 games Barcelona played so far.
Competition for starting XI
There are two factors to consider while talking about his situation. First, players like Andres Gomes and Denis Suarez are direct competition for him as Iniesta and Busquets are the untouchables once they are fit. Another, his physical condition. He had an Achilles problem while playing against Celta de Vigo and was substituted. Then he didn't go for international break because of the injury. Then he played for an hour in El Clasico and replaced by Captain Iniesta who was just coming back from an injury. It is seen that return of captain has put break on Ivan's involvement since then.
Playing time
But he played the last match of the year and scored from the spot on his return to starting XI. Then he was given chance in the first match of the new year, in first leg of Copa Del Rey match against Bilbao and saw lot of ball, even he contributed passes well and also tracked back well supporting defence. He was looking good and then subbed off for Andre Gomes after 70 minutes of play time in which barca lost to Bilbao(2-1). In La Liga, surprisingly he was not even included in the squad going to play Villarreal CF which eventually fuelled the rumors of Rakitic leaving the club for Manchester City this transfer window by English media which was later amided by Luis Enrique saying "Rakitic absence has no relation with that story" and laughed saying “Anyway, it doesn't matter if the media is English or Croatian. You cant trust the media”. It was later said that it was all part of rotation of squad for to find perfect midfield options for upcoming important fixtures. And rakitic was in squad for second leg match against Athletic Bilbao but was not in starting XI which included 7 La Masia players. He was on bench for 80 mins and subbed in for Rafinha to provide fresh legs and much needed support to defence to defend lead for last 10 minutes, in which he succeeded and played small but important part in the match.
Transfer Rumours and Speculations
With transfer window now open, there many rumors surrounding Rakitic about his departure from the club. Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Juventus are the clubs keeping an eye on the Croatian international and it might just happen sooner or later(Summer) as he hasn't been involved quite as often as expected. But it is highly unlikely to happen, as club President, Josep Bartomeu, recently said that ’ FC Barcelona will try to open renewal talks with player which ends in June 2019 once Messi signs new contract'. Also according to Mundo deportivo, the player has instructed his agent to reject all offers from other clubs. So it is unlikely that he will leave club soon, but a tempting offer could lure him out of his dream club. Barcelona has started to look out for a long time replacement and has contacted the Brazilian and Liverpool sensation Coutinho.
Thus, player is unlikely to leave his dream club soon also wants to compete with his colleagues to win back his spot and help the club to win as many trophies as possible and possibly another treble. Let's see what this new year has brought to players, club and fans.
Early days
He arrived at the Camp Nou from Sevilla as new signing when Luis Enrique took over as manager, in the 2014/15 season. After adapting to the club in his first few months, he became a regular in the side along with Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta in the midfield. With the addition of Rakitic, Luis Enrique added more direct and physical approach to the conventional short passing mentality and achieved a great feat by winning the Treble in his first season. Rakitic gave so many amazing performances during his first season, including his first UCL in which he scored the opener, and continued in following season.
He was regular in team in 2015/16 also as he was a key player in winning the domestic double in his second season.
Season 2016/17
However, after a good start of 2016/17 campaign he couldn't play against Borussia Monchengladbach because of ban, but neither was he involved against Osasuna nor Espanyol , as he was left on the bench. It seems evident that his importance has depreciated in the side if we compare his participation in 2015/16 and 2016/17 till December.
He played 26 games starting 23 of them out of 29 games Barcelona played last season. While in the current campaign he's played 19 (starting 16) out of 25 games Barcelona played so far.
Competition for starting XI
There are two factors to consider while talking about his situation. First, players like Andres Gomes and Denis Suarez are direct competition for him as Iniesta and Busquets are the untouchables once they are fit. Another, his physical condition. He had an Achilles problem while playing against Celta de Vigo and was substituted. Then he didn't go for international break because of the injury. Then he played for an hour in El Clasico and replaced by Captain Iniesta who was just coming back from an injury. It is seen that return of captain has put break on Ivan's involvement since then.
Playing time
But he played the last match of the year and scored from the spot on his return to starting XI. Then he was given chance in the first match of the new year, in first leg of Copa Del Rey match against Bilbao and saw lot of ball, even he contributed passes well and also tracked back well supporting defence. He was looking good and then subbed off for Andre Gomes after 70 minutes of play time in which barca lost to Bilbao(2-1). In La Liga, surprisingly he was not even included in the squad going to play Villarreal CF which eventually fuelled the rumors of Rakitic leaving the club for Manchester City this transfer window by English media which was later amided by Luis Enrique saying "Rakitic absence has no relation with that story" and laughed saying “Anyway, it doesn't matter if the media is English or Croatian. You cant trust the media”. It was later said that it was all part of rotation of squad for to find perfect midfield options for upcoming important fixtures. And rakitic was in squad for second leg match against Athletic Bilbao but was not in starting XI which included 7 La Masia players. He was on bench for 80 mins and subbed in for Rafinha to provide fresh legs and much needed support to defence to defend lead for last 10 minutes, in which he succeeded and played small but important part in the match.
Transfer Rumours and Speculations
With transfer window now open, there many rumors surrounding Rakitic about his departure from the club. Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Juventus are the clubs keeping an eye on the Croatian international and it might just happen sooner or later(Summer) as he hasn't been involved quite as often as expected. But it is highly unlikely to happen, as club President, Josep Bartomeu, recently said that ’ FC Barcelona will try to open renewal talks with player which ends in June 2019 once Messi signs new contract'. Also according to Mundo deportivo, the player has instructed his agent to reject all offers from other clubs. So it is unlikely that he will leave club soon, but a tempting offer could lure him out of his dream club. Barcelona has started to look out for a long time replacement and has contacted the Brazilian and Liverpool sensation Coutinho.
Thus, player is unlikely to leave his dream club soon also wants to compete with his colleagues to win back his spot and help the club to win as many trophies as possible and possibly another treble. Let's see what this new year has brought to players, club and fans.
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