Xavi

[kiki888]

Hi guys!
I'm managing Man United. I'm in 2014 november now and i just got Xavi on a free transfer.
The only problem is that he is very, very slow, because he is 34 years old now.
Question: Should I play him in midfield against lower reputation teams, or just in the first/second half, or forget him as a player? I really want to play him, because i like him.
Sorry for stupid thread
Thanks

 

[Kylo]

If I were you I wouldn't have signed him, as amazing as his creativity stats have always looked, when he hits this kind of age he won't be able to compete physically with most of the players in the EPL and LIGA BBVA. Although, you could set all your tactics to fit him in the team, such as playing the ball short and quick, making sure his Player Instructions are set so that he pretty much will one touch a killer ball every time, and will never/rarely run with the ball or attempt dribbling. This can be done by talking to him one on one or going into your tactics set up. It's never like Xavi to out pace someone, he usually relies on his technique but he is a risk at his age..

 

[kiki888]

Thanks, good advice )
I'll try everything to give him a role in first team
Cheers

 

[noobito]

I did the same with, Signed a 35 year old Lampard and Drogba, Both were clearly too old to really cut it week in week out in my team (Average age without them was 22), I agree with Kylo a player of that age struggles in this FM and really building a tactic around someone who has one season left in them, Maybe two is'nt wise even though i wanted Lampard and Drogba playing it just was'nt good for the team to keep them in.

A mistake signing him however i dont agree with, Everyone and his mother is signing young players and to get the best out of them you needs good tutors, I cant think of many who are better tutors that Xavi for someone in that mould, Lampard got a new one year contract for that reason with me, Sadly Drogba retired but he did manage to tutor 2 regens in his season with me and helped them alot.

I only have one player apart from Lampard in my team right now who can actually tutor people and thats Pablo Henrique, Due to my team being so young any regens i get have to go it alone atleast for another season or two until my current squad come of age, Always a good idea to have experience around the squad and aslong as Xavi's wages are'nt too high you can get alot out of him off the field atleast.