THE biggest winners on Spain's deadline day on Monday were Barcelona, not for any big new arrivals at the Camp Nou, but because Ivan Rakitic has remained at the club despite their best efforts to sell him.
Attempts to send Rakitic to Paris Saint-Germain in part-exchange for Neymar has already played a big role in Barca dropping five points in their first three games. So blaugrana fans should be relieved that the Croatia international’s insistence in staying means Ernesto Valverde can put him back in the team sharpish.
The closest Rakitic came to an exit was when the blaugrana board were happy to include him in a player plus cash deal for Neymar, while Manchester United, Everton, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Juventus were among the other clubs reportedly interested. With Barca basically opening the Camp Nou doors and shoving him out, only Rakitic’s own refusal to be pushed around stopped a deal happening.
— Rakitic stays in Barca. [md] pic.twitter.com/vAMRT8lQKP
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) September 2, 2019
Such stubbornness should be welcomed by all Barca fans. Since arriving from Sevilla in summer 2014, for what seems now a barely credible €18 million, Rakitic has been key to pretty much all the team's best moments. He has never tried to be a Xavi Hernandez or Andres Iniesta replacement, instead setting aside the creative gifts so evident at Seville to do what is best for the team.
“Rakitic is one of the most under-rated players in the world,” said Jose Mourinho just last March. “He is a fantastic player on all levels. In his defensive duties on the right to compensate for Messi, in possession he is fantastic, he plays it simple, is effective…. I wanted to make sure to name him, as normally we only talk about the big names.”
Mourinho and other Bernabeu figures know first hand just how good Rakitic is. He was then talking on Beinsports TV just after the Croatian had just scored the winner at the Bernabeu to more or less confirm a fourth La Liga title in five seasons. He has started 11 Liga and Copa Clasicos, losing just once, scoring twice and giving three assists. He also scored the opening goal in the 2015 Champions League victory over Juventus in Berlin. He has proved incredible value, is rarely injured, and still appears to have plenty to give.
But for some reason Rakitic has never had the faith of some of Barca’s many transfer decision makers. There’s also him having become just weirdly unpopular with some blaugrana fans, particularly online, despite all he’s done for the club. Amid all the noise this summer Rakitic remained calm. “Talk about my future doesn't annoy me, I understand it's how football works,” he said in late July. “I'm honoured that clubs might want me, but I only see myself here at Barcelona.”
He also scored fine goals in pre-season friendlies against Napoli and Chelsea, and looked among the players in better form ahead of the big kick-off. But instead Rakitic has not started any of Barca’s opening three La Liga games. Coach Ernesto Valverde has given him just 45 minutes as a half-time substitute on opening day, even as his engine, leadership and tactical intelligence have been badly missed as the champions have already fallen five points off La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.
— Rakitic scored 71 goals in 5 seasons during his time at Barça. No other midfielder has more. [md] pic.twitter.com/iHxiKOcqRZ
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) August 31, 2019
It has been argued that at 31, and on decent wages, Rakitic is an ‘expendable’ player, with younger midfielders Frenkie de Jong, Arthur Melo and Carles Alena more useful long-term options. He’s also been quite public in his calls for a contract extension / payrise, which reports say club president Josep Maria Bartomeu initially promised last summer but then refused to grant.
While the various Camp Nou transfer ‘chiefs’ making a muddle of things is nothing new, Valverde not backing Rakitic has been strange. Amid similar speculation 12 months ago, he called him a “fundamental player for the team”. This summer there has been no such public backing. Maybe Valverde has seen something not yet obvious to outsiders, and feels that Rakitic’s levels have slipped. But there was a sense of misdirected frustration when the coach snapped at reporters who asked about the player not featuring as Barca drew 2-2 at Osasuna last weekend.
“What do you want me to say?,” a visibly irritated Valverde relied. “Last year when Ivan played, Nelson or Sergi Roberto were on the bench. We played well the other day [against Betis] and repeated that line-up. I have lots of players to choose from. I put on Arthur, who scored a goal. Your question is good with any name – Ivan, Arthur, Arturo [Vidal]. Ivan Rakitic is a very good player, but I have many midfielders, more than I need.”
Valverde should really have been directing his comments at those above him in the club hierarchy, who were trying to take away one of his most valuable team members. With the transfer window shut now, presumably Rakitic will return to the team, perhaps as soon as Valencia at home after the international break.
The attempt to force out one of the team's most vital cogs has already contributed to Barca's poor start to the season. But there is still time to get Rakitic back inside to help turn things around.
