RAKITIC: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A REPLACEMENT FOR XAVI

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The 28 year old Croatian international and Barcelona midfielder fends off analogy to his progenitor midfielder and rehearses his plight to the Catalan side.

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The 28 year old midfielder thinks that he cannot match up with the former Barcelona midfielder Xavi.

In 2014 which was Xavi’s last season with Barcelona then Barcelona side brought the Croatian man from the Sevilla side and in his first season he won the treble with the Catalan side.

He has been emerged as a key player for the Spanish coach in the Barcelona squad in his first two seasons, but in this season he has only made 14 appearances for them and his team Barcelona is sitting in  the third spot on the La Liga table.

Though the 28 year old is adamant that he never think of him as a Xavi’s successor at Barcelona.

He also states that he does not want to be compared with anyone.

The 28 year old write down: "First point: replacing Xavi? That doesn't exist,"

"Secondly, I would like not to be compared with anyone, I want to be myself and give the team what I can.

"I don't dribble like Leo Messi, score like Luis Suarez, give passes like Andres Iniesta [and] I'm not always switched on like Gerard Pique but I think I add my qualities.

"With respect to Barca, maybe [the style has changed a little] but, if a team offers you that possibility, if they press high and leave space behind, it would be absurd not to emply [different tactics]. It would be to do what the rival wants.

"One thing is the players you have in your team, another is the way you have to plan keeping in mind the opposition."

This season Barcelona has signed two other new youngsters in their squad they are Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez, as they both play in the same spot where Rakitic plays so because of that he was substituted many times in this season.

The 28 year old says that he is happy with  the coach’s decision and he wants to continue is football with the Catalan side.