In the derby against Espanyol, a match without too many chances and lots of play in the middle of the field, Ivan Rakitic stood out again. The Croatian midfielder has become level with Sergio Busquets in terms of importance and against Espanyol, he was better than Busquets.
Rakitic has now played 3,375 minutes this campaign and he has become untouchable for Valverde. The arrivals of Arthur and Arturo Vidal have not been able to take away his game time, because they have shared between the minutes played in the position which Andres Iniesta played in in previous seasons. With still a minimum of 12 matches and a maximum of 15 left to play, Rakitic could go past the 4,265 minutes he played last season and he would do it when everyone takes for granted that he will be the man sacrificed when Frenkie de Jong comes in the summer.
Against Espanyol, he entered in contact with the ball on 134 occasions and handed out 97 successful passes to his teammates. Even Busquets, who is usually impeccable, was far from the numbers of Rakitic and did not have as much presence on the ball.
Having just turned 31, the only thing against him is his age, because he has scored more goals and has more than assists than last season. He has scored five goals and given nine assists compared to the four goals and five assists of last season. Although PSG made a little attempt in summer, it seems ike clubs with lower aspiration and who could pay mre money, could have more to say in where his future lies. According to 'AS' in Spain, Inter Milan could be a possibility.
In the meantime, Rakitic is in charge of carrying on talking on the pitch. Like he did against Real Madrid with his great goal o like he does every time he puts on the Barca shirt ever since he joined the club in summer 2014.