They're a phenomenal partnership though.

I'm not a massive fan of Spain's style of play, as is well documented, but it takes an enormous amount of technical skill as well as a brilliant mutual understanding in order to make it work.

Spain have barely lost in the last 2-3 years as their style is so effective, and Xavi and Iniesta are absolutely key to it. I think with (say) Fabregas, Alonso and Busquets as their midfield three and Silva and Navas (if they don't play on the same side - I don't follow that closely) they'd still be a very good team - but with Xavi and Iniesta they're nigh on unbeatable.

Agree that to call one of them the "greatest and most complete midfield player of all time" is over the top though - just of recent years, I'd take Pirlo or (particularly) Zidane over either of them in isolation.

Posted By: Ottosson Foxtrot, Jul 14, 16:51:07