Which Barça players of the last 20 years could be a starter today?

I was talking with a friend about the low level of the Champions league (9 of the teams at 1/8 are a joke), but then we also considered that maybe you can see it the other way around and it's Barça that has improved a lot and the other teams have not followed (except maybe Madrid these last 3 seasons).

Then we wondered how many Barça players of the last 20 years, since 1990, could play in our team, either be starters or play usually.

Your thoughts?

Ps. I think players like Marquez, Henry, Ronaldinho, Eto'o or Toure, who formed part of the current team and left so recently, shouldn't be considered in the discussion.

Ronaldinho, Rivaldo/Eto'o/Ronaldo & Guardiola maybe for Busquets

Koeman? or Pique?

-Messi-Ronaldo-Ronaldinho

Hmm Guardiola probably.. Koeman too. What about Cocu?

Not sure what role could Ronaldo play as it's not a good idea to replace Messi lol.

You guys had a lot of great players lol.

In my opinion:

GK: There has not been a GK close to Valdes in the last 20 years. Zubi was not enough agile and mobile, too much old school, and couldn't play with his feet. Hesp was good, but not on Valdes level. Others mostly failed.

Defence: Legends of the last 20 years include Ferrer, Sergi Barjuan, Koeman, Nadal, Reiziger and Van Bronckhorst, Blanc or Abelardo.

Legend midfielders include Bakero, Amor, Guardiola, Giovanni Silva, Cocu, De la Peña, Luis Enrique, Laudrup.

There is the most forwards to consider: Stoitchkov, Romario, Begiristain, Rivaldo, Kluivert, Figo, Ronaldo.

In my opinion no defender could start over our current defence. Maybe only Koeman and Nadal could have a shot, but one is too slow, the other not enough a good passer.

In midfield, Cocu could really replace Keita, but would have trouble starting. Guardiola is inferior to Busquets, was too weak defensively and couldn't drible or keep the ball as Busi. Laudrup was a great player but couldn't really start over Iniesta or Xavi, although he could have options playing as a forward, but that's the line where we could pick more past players, so he is out. Luis Enrique would always have a chance to play thanks to his all around versatility.

Finally, in the attack, we could really pick two players who on paper are better than Villa/Alexis/Pedro, in the wings: two of the 3 Stoitchkov/Figo/Rivaldo. Romario and specially Ronaldo were awesome, but they aren't better than Messi, I wouldn't replace him. (no change of positions allowed for the discussion).

So in the end, from the last 20 years, IMO only Stoitchkov and Figo/Rivaldo could walk in our 11. Luis Enrique would probably play a lot thanks to his versatility. And Ronaldo/Romario are megacracks, but IMO they could only start if Messi wasn't played if we want to keep the same formation.

I'm pretty sure very little teams can say the same.

Ps. As I said in the OT, I think recent players that left shouldn't be considered (Eto'o, Marquez, Ronaldinho, Toure, Henry...).

Gg

Laudrup would bench ini. that's it really.ronaldinho won't have the discipline to start.

jibers wrote:Laudrup would bench ini. that's it really.ronaldinho won't have the discipline to start.

I know you are a great fan of Laudrup, but it's like you didn't watch him play for the Dream Team. He barely played as a midfield, mostly as a fake 9, he wasn't suited for the CM role that Iniesta does, and was always outshadowed by Stoitchkov. When Romario came, he was often in the bench as only three foreigners could play.

I'm a big fan of Pep as a player, but he only had a better long pass than Busquets, nothing else.

Well you are kind of tying my hands there by saying that no change of position is allowed.
But in that case since you also want to keep our current midfield trio how would you accomodate Rivaldo.
Dont think Rivaldo would like playing down the wings.
For my money,Koeman would start over Pique.
I would dearly love to start Enrique but just cant.So he will be first sub off the bench.
You are right free in that Laudrup was a forward and cant get into the midfield.
The midfield remains as it is.It is the greatest midfield the game has ever seen so no need to change it at all.
Forwards is a bit tricky.
As good as Romario and Ronaldo were,Messi is just plain and simple better.
Laudrup as you mentioned was a false nine but he would often interchange with Stoichkov to the left who would go into the center.
So I have Laudrup at LW and I kknow Stoichkov didnt play RW(not his natural position) but I just cant leave him out.So Stoichkov on the right wing.
Hardest part was leaving out Rivaldo but with the rules you have proposed he is on the bench.He was my favorite Barca player before Xavi.
So the current Barca team with Koeman instead of Pique,Laudrup at LW and Stoichkov at RW.

free_cat wrote:

jibers wrote:Laudrup would bench ini. that's it really.ronaldinho won't have the discipline to start.

I know you are a great fan of Laudrup, but it's like you didn't watch him play for the Dream Team. He barely played as a midfield, mostly as a fake 9, he wasn't suited for the CM role that Iniesta does, and was always outshadowed by Stoitchkov. When Romario came, he was often in the bench as only three foreigners could play.

I'm a big fan of Pep as a player, but he only had a better long pass than Busquets, nothing else.

Lol I know, he was an forward/ am. Honestly I think the only one tat is replaceable is villa. The rest are perfect fits.

go back thirty years and we can talk about Maradona in here

Well I would change formation depending who I select.

I would have (leaving out recent players) Figo, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Koeman, Stoichkov, Luis Enrique, Cocu and Guardiola all in the squd thats for sure.

Rivaldo and Figo or Stoichkov would both start for me, as would Ronaldo, Cocu would replace Keita completely, Koeman normally would replace Pique but his lack of size makes us too small.

Something like this.



The only thing is, with this formation we need someone to do the same role Busquets did against Madrid. He is probably better suited to that than Pique.

No Ronaldinho?

EarlyPrototype wrote:No Ronaldinho?

Op said to exclude him, Etoo, Yaya and guys like that. Makes sense because they were parts of this current group.

Also makes it easier..its already hard leaving guys like Pep, Koeman, Romario out.

I really want to include Romario but there is no place for him in this team while Messi is still here...

Great insights from cat, alex and dani - wonderful read guys!!!