I think it was because Guardiola ****ed him Out of barca that people think he is wasnt as good as he was. He moved from a dm role to being citys driving force
Very one dimensional imo, needed a team built around him to allow him the freedom to attack without need to defend. TBF, Gerrard looked a lot better when Rafa did it with him too.
When you're world class, you should have teams set up to help get the best out of you. It's the same for everyone world class player lol.
every player needs to defend you can get the best out of a player without ruining them. Look at fabregas. At one time he could have been the worlds best CM, better than xavi or iniesta. What happened? push further and further forward til he's a utility player as a barca and spain sub. Now playing at the time his career was richly rewarded in gongs won by being a squad players at barca and chelsea but his best years were left behind in the 00s where as he played up to what 2016/2017? Sometimes you need more than just to allow that kind of thing to happen to a top talent. all the teams he played for were top top teams but how many of them built a side round him? none. they all used him filling in. compare to Alonso. Left us in his best position as a DM. The only reason he even had a poor season was an assault by a lousy frank lampard and cheslea team out to nobble the best player. went to real and played there almost always as first choice in their side and won things then left to join bayern and won more titles there always as first choice and crucial to the systems. Alonso could pass like an old master. if someone thought oh just shove him forward he wouldn't be as good. he could also defend and read games like an old master.
