Where would Marco Verratti play at Barcelona?
The Italian is perhaps the most similar player there's been to Xavi
In Valverde's favoured 4-2-3-1 he would fill in alongside Busquets
If there is any player outside of FC Barcelona with the club's DNA and style then it is, without doubt, Marco Verratti. It's not odd that the Italian is one of the club's top targets for next season. He's good in possession and fits the club's system perfectly. Verratti is a play-maker; an artist when it comes to passing the ball.
If Barcelona manage to sign him, they will have landed the player on the market most similar to Xavi Hernandez. For Verratti, it would be a great chance to exhibit his qualities in a system which would favour him even more than the one he currently plays in with PSG. Unai Emery's appointment in Paris has not gone well for the midfielder, although he has also had problems with injuries.
'trequartista'
Marco Verratti is a 'rare specie' in the current game, a throwback to the Italian term known as a 'trequartista'. He occupies large spaces though intelligence, not size. There are a lot of comparisons with Xavi in that regard. He wants the ball and he builds play. He's short passes, not long. And when he decides to go forward he is capable of creating goals and danger, too.
Verratti would benefit from having players as quick thinking as him, something he's not always had in his career but at Barcelona would be guaranteed. The MSN would take advantage of his qualities, although the presence of Lionel Messi in a more central role could limit his role further forward.
ideal MIDFIELDER
Looking at Barça coach Ernesto Valverde's career, he's often preferred a 4-2-3-1 system. He flirted with 4-4-2 at Villarreal and 4-3-3 at Valencia, but in general he has usually stuck to the same formation.
In a system with a double pivote, Verratti would slot in alongside Sergio Busquets. Even though the Italian is also adept at the defensive side of the game, Busquets would cover that, leaving his potential team-mate to focus on building attacks.
In a three-man, more classic Barça midfield, Busquets would sit behind in his usual position with Verratti and Andres Iniesta ahead of him. The two could manage the play, the past (Iniesta at 33) and the future (Verratti at 24). Both players share certain chatacteristics and it could prove similar to the Xavi-Iniesta combination.
He could also take Iniesta's role and play alongside Ivan Rakiric, a player who he would also complement.
Barça need Verratti and Verratti needs Barça. There have been many attempts but this summer could be the one. His position on the pitch may not be crystal clear but his role at Barça would be: always close to the ball.
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