I remember when Xabi first signed and was slightly worried that he had cost 10.5m and i'd hardly heard much about him. I though he started brillantly and has got better as he has adapted to the prem. I read somewhere that statistic wise he is the best defensive midfielder, strangely i've never really classed him as a DM, though this season I think Gerrard has been more attacking so Xabi has had to drop a little. That is why I think people haven't been talking so much about him this season. His tackling has come on leaps and bounds and no one can question his passing. He's relatively young so can keep getting better, I just hope he doesn't leave, I keep hearing rumours about Real and Barca and that worries me. At least one high quality winger next season and Xabi will be pinging passes to the corners creating far more goal scoring opportunities. The Rafalution continues...
he's not the type of player that need's speed. We don't wannt him running beyond defender's thats what our striker's and winger's are for. He's still not in his prime and he really needs to fight for his place now.....Gerrard-Masha-MoMo got a good CM
Yeah I agree with Reven here he doesnt need speed he is a CM or DMC like Neil Lennon he is like a big influence in the Celtic team because of his passing and can hold up play but has no speed at all.
alonso is a quality player, just like tugay he doesnt need speed. its all about awareness and intelligence.