Can Iniesta become the world's best?

I think most people would agree that Iniesta has been good so far in his career. However, this season he finally seems to have learnt how to finish off a move and actually score goals, overshadowing his more established teammates Deco and Xavi. He is still only 22, so can he up his game and actually be one of the world's best, if not the best?

Can Raul Bravo become the best defender in the world? -- now that is a more intriguing question to be sure!

I'm a big fan of the lad, and think that Barca have been holding him back a bit. Of course, they may have been right to do so.

I think he can be top 20, but I don't think he has the physique to be the best. Still he has about 10-12 years to prove me wrong.

I think his biggest challenge in the short term is that he has a lot of competition both at Barcelona and in the Spanish national team. Not sure how long Deco will stay at Barcelona but if he signs an extension, Iniesta will have a hard time of it because Xavi is not that old either.

I agree that he is facing very stiff competition, but I think he might start being a regular starter now, especially considering that we only have Deco, Iniesta and Xavi for 2 positions, and that Deco has pretty much been playing non-stop so far. Hopefully we can even start seeing more of the 3 together on the pitch in the "easy" home games where the opposition mainly defends (NEVER EVER against tough opposition away).

My suspicion is that you will only see Deco-Xavi-Iniesta if you are trailing in a match or if there are a lot of absences through injury/suspension.

Of course if you sign Gago, Iniesta will really see his playing time diminish...so it's best if you leave him to us. Of course there is still the chance you would sign Lampard so maybe Iniesta is screwed either way.

If they spent £20 odd million on Lampard and therefore got rid of Iniesta they would have to be mad!

That would probably have the same impact that Beckham had for Real Madrid, when they initially gave him Makelele's position.

Jaime wrote:My suspicion is that you will only see Deco-Xavi-Iniesta if you are trailing in a match or if there are a lot of absences through injury/suspension.

Of course if you sign Gago, Iniesta will really see his playing time diminish...so it's best if you leave him to us. Of course there is still the chance you would sign Lampard so maybe Iniesta is screwed either way.

Why would we want Lampard?? He is not at all suited to our style.. and extremely expensive too..

That whole rumour was started by The Sun after they discovered that his girlfriend was Catalan..

Every few weeks SPORT has an article on the rumour as well. Don't worry, there is still a chance it is true!

Sport just reports what other newspapers say when it comes to Lampard (or Italian players).

Re: the thread, I don't see why not. He's even added goals to his game. Deco won't be around for more than 2-3 seasons at most, so after that we'll definitely be seeing a regular Xavi-Iniesta midfield.

He's dominated Milan, Benfica (over two legs) & Arsenal. He was also MOTM against Argentina for Spain. For one reason another, he's not had much playing time for Spain, but whenever he has, he has usually been one of the standouts. I think he was criminaly underrated in past seasons, but he seems to be getting the plaudits now, and not just from the Spanish. Incredibly gifted player.

I don't think he'll ever be a WPOTY, largely due to the position he plays, but providing he continues his form and plays regularly for both club and country, there is no feasible reason why he won't be internationally recognised as one the finest CM's around.

I don't think he can be the best player in the world but he has the potential to be better than the likes of Deco, xavi etc He's a joy to watch and one of my favourite players around at the moment.

Cesc>Iniesta

Lampard going to Barca would be the dumbest move of his life.

He plays well for Chelsea (most of the time), and fits in well in the team. The team is built around him which clearly helps. He's one of Jose's favourites, and it doesn't matter how poorly he's playing he still gets selected.

If he went to Barca it would be ridiculous. The team wouldn't play to suit his style (although he's scored a couple in the Nou camp now ), and Chelsea wouldn't be as good without him. Nobody is a winner.

Maybe Iniesta would join Arsenal if Lamps went to Barca

yes. he would be a reserve...

S4P wrote:Lampard going to Barca would be the dumbest move of his life.

Lampard at barca will be like van bommel( yes i think they are equally talented): good player but doesn't have the required technique to be a barca star.

todo_poderoso_timão wrote:yes. he would be a reserve...

Just like Iniesta is/was

Agooner wrote:Lampard at barca will be like van bommel( yes i think they are equally talented): good player but doesn't have the required technique to be a barca star.

Can you imagine where that would leave Gerrard and any other English midfielder (bar Joe Cole and Lennon).

Hate to say it, but Lampard's technique is better than almost every other English midfielder, even if his ability is not.

Ignoring Gerrard (as that'll be controversial), I would say Cole, Carrick and Hargreaves, and even Lennon, are technically superior to Frank.

Inesta= great talent indeed

whenever I have watched him in the CL he was one of hte better players

and still so young

fantastic prospect

best 20 in the world ?????

tough one; there are so many talents out there

also , remember that Inesta plays for one of the best teams in the world; it's far easier looking good in that environment than , let's say at HSV

But this season (and on occasion last season), he's actually been the one who's made us look good. So your last point may or may not be true.

the best player in the world No, the best midfielder yes.

Iniesta and Cesc will be great players but no better than Aquilani.

Great player, no way he can be 'the best' though as he doesn't have the physique as someone previously mentioned

Same with cesc

Possible, unlikely.

Roger_Hunt wrote:

Ignoring Gerrard (as that'll be controversial), I would say Cole, Carrick and Hargreaves, and even Lennon, are technically superior to Frank.

I said Lennon.

Gerrard, for all his ability, doesn't seem to be able to trap a ball.

But you're right about Hargreaves and Carrick

Iniesta is a very good player and will become even better with time. Good prospect at only 22 years of age.