Ivan Rakitic: Valverde's lungs
Last season, Ivan Rakitic was tempted to leave Barcelona after not having a good year, but his situation changed from the first day under Ernesto Valverde.
Luis Enrique withdrew the trust he had given the Croatian in previous campaigns and, also, without any explanation.
The new coach was very clear that Rakitic was going to be fundamental from the start of the season and because of this, he left no room for doubt and had him as a starter from the first day.
Until now, the midfielder has been one of the footballers who has participated the most for Valverde, and in fact, he is only surpassed by Lionel Messi.
That confidence has seen the Croatian respond in an outstanding manner.
"He is a very intelligent player," is the phrase that almost everyone points to when asked about the midfielder.
This is defined by Tente Sanchez, a former captain of Barcelona.
"He looks like Puyol because he has an enormous capacity to know what is going to happen in a play," he said.
"Rakitic is not a footballer with an imposing physique, nor is he the fastest, however, he knows how to position himself in the field in such a way that he can choose the right moment in which he has the advantage to steal the ball."
Intelligence is demonstrated in many ways of course, and one of them is also how he has accepted his role in the team.
He knows that in Barcelona he is just one more of the squad.
The star is Messi and he has others around him such as Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta or, last season, Neymar.
"If you have to run 10,000 metres for Leo and your back hurts, you run," Rakitic said when he arrived in Barcelona.
Not only did he say it, but he executes it because the he is the player who travels the most metres per game for the Catalans.
"Nobody should forget that he came from a Sevilla where he was the star of the team," Tente continued.
Rakitic adaptation to his new role has meant not getting forward so much, and therefore no goals as a result; but that is another characteristic that shows his intelligence.
"He has adapted to various positions and knows what he has to do at all times, not only that, but from the first months he was in Barcelona, he adapted very quickly to the style of play of his new team," Tente concluded.
Something that may seem simple, but clearly is not.
