The problem I think came when he increasingly played *instead of* rather than *in addition to* Xavi/Iniesta, but Cesc in 11/12 was so good as an off the ball runner to compliment Barca's midfield passers.

For a guy who has a reputation for lacking tactical intelligence, Cesc did pretty well going from a do everything advanced midfielder at Arsenal to an off-ball runner at Barca to a deep lying playmaker at Chelsea.

I've decided Cesc is if Steven Gerrard spent some early years at La Masia.

The problem is a perception one imo, in that everyone sees he's from Barcelona and expects him to be Xavi, but he's really shaped (not in a bad way) by his time in English football.