Has Pique's Level Fallen A Little?

I wanted to ask this since yesterday but was not too sure when to begin. Reading some comments from alex in certain threads made me decide this is probably the right time.

Let's recall Gerard Pique of the 2009-10 season. Was that the best he has ever played for us? Since then has his level fallen both in terms of consistency and excellence or at least one of them? I mean there were those times when we used to call C.Ronaldo his bunny for instance. Since then hasn't the equation between them changed at least to some extent?

In terms of pure statistics just to make the debate harder

La Liga 09/10
1.8 tackles per game
1.6 interceptions per game
4.6 clearances per game
0.4 dribbled by other players per game
0.1 blocked shots per game
59 average passes per game
86.9% pass completion
6.4 accurate long balls per game

La Liga 2011/2012
1.8 tackles per game
1.5 interceptions per game
2.1 clearances per game
0.4 dribbled by other players per game
0.5 blocked shots per game
47.6 average passes per game
88.4% pass completion
5.7 accurate long balls per game

Stats show he playing more or less the same, only he is clearing it less and passing it better.

To be honest, I see the same Pique this season as ever before.

Last season he was up and down,, mostly up for the big games and down for the small ones.

But for me, this season he has been great. Against Madrid in the first leg, I believe he won 18 aerial duels...far more than anyone else on either side.

To me, he is doing great.

I agree. I think he is "slightly" not to his top level but still amazing. Just having the random off moment here and there when I usually expect him to be perfect

Since 08-09/09-10 I've seen Pique be more or less the same in terms of how well he is playing.

Pique can be inconsistent in his games, individually, but IMO he's always been consistent throughout the whole season with how he played and for the most part has been as good as he has been since Guardiola took over. I don't even remember any cold or hot streaks, he just occasionally will have a great or bad game. Occasionally.

I think he's pretty much stayed the same. And as pointed out, the stats seem to favor that opinion, if stats mattered.

The Franchise wrote:Stats show he playing more or less the same, only he is clearing it less and passing it better.

To be honest, I see the same Pique this season as ever before.

Last season he was up and down,, mostly up for the big games and down for the small ones.

But for me, this season he has been great. Against Madrid in the first leg, I believe he won 18 aerial duels...far more than anyone else on either side.

To me, he is doing great.

I dont agree wholly.I think he has stepped up in the big games but has been far too inconsistent.
A CB having a great season doesnt go 6 consecutive games with a yellow cards and I remember even you were frustrated with his form earlier in the season.
Thats not my main problem with him at all.
The main problem is his passing.I think he considers himself a far better passer than he actually is.Too often he will take plenty of time on the ball, not go for the simple pass to Busquets or Xavi,go for the crossfield ball and invariably it goes out of play.
I think if he sticks to basics,concentrates,plays the simple passes he is a terrific CB.
But if he goes around thinking he is Beckenbauer(he is not even close) he starts playing poorly.

I agree with alex. I don't support barca obviously but when I do watch them play Pique spends too much time on the ball and always goes for the holywood ball

Anybody else get the feeling he thinks he's untouchable in the squad?

I don't know might just be me.

Question, when did he start dating Shakira? Its gotta tire the legs sometime Loool! I think hes not been as good as b4 I agree, at that time, no bdoubt he was the best CB in the world, but atm, I cant really say that taking form into account. But ability wise, his ball playing, pace, game reading, physical presence for the team is still top, so I always forgive his occasional drop in form...

Thanks for the replies guys. I think he has become a little inconsistent compared to how brilliant he used to be in the 2009-10 season.

BarcaLearning wrote:Question, when did he start dating Shakira? Its gotta tire the legs sometime Loool! I think hes not been as good as b4 I agree, at that time, no bdoubt he was the best CB in the world, but atm, I cant really say that taking form into account. But ability wise, his ball playing, pace, game reading, physical presence for the team is still top, so I always forgive his occasional drop in form...

He's lost pace for sure, he used to barely keep up with CR which isn't easy.
And I still think he's overrated as a ball player.

Oh my god, what crap.

He goes for hollywood ball too much but his passing is at 88%....overrated as a ball player smh

He lost pace.....like wow.

alexjanosik wrote:

The Franchise wrote:Stats show he playing more or less the same, only he is clearing it less and passing it better.

To be honest, I see the same Pique this season as ever before.

Last season he was up and down,, mostly up for the big games and down for the small ones.

But for me, this season he has been great. Against Madrid in the first leg, I believe he won 18 aerial duels...far more than anyone else on either side.

To me, he is doing great.

I dont agree wholly.I think he has stepped up in the big games but has been far too inconsistent.
A CB having a great season doesnt go 6 consecutive games with a yellow cards and I remember even you were frustrated with his form earlier in the season.
Thats not my main problem with him at all.
The main problem is his passing.I think he considers himself a far better passer than he actually is.Too often he will take plenty of time on the ball, not go for the simple pass to Busquets or Xavi,go for the crossfield ball and invariably it goes out of play.
I think if he sticks to basics,concentrates,plays the simple passes he is a terrific CB.
But if he goes around thinking he is Beckenbauer(he is not even close) he starts playing poorly.

I think I was annoyed with his 6 yellow cards, but Alex, most of them were talking. Also, he gets called for the most stupid fouls which arent fouls. They call them because of his persona.

I understand your passing point, but look at the %. For all those difficult balls he plays, they are very high.

Giggity5313 wrote:

BarcaLearning wrote:Question, when did he start dating Shakira? Its gotta tire the legs sometime Loool! I think hes not been as good as b4 I agree, at that time, no bdoubt he was the best CB in the world, but atm, I cant really say that taking form into account. But ability wise, his ball playing, pace, game reading, physical presence for the team is still top, so I always forgive his occasional drop in form...

He's lost pace for sure, he used to barely keep up with CR which isn't easy.
And I still think he's overrated as a ball player.

So which CB's today in the world are as good as him or better?