Money, as has been mentioned, is the likely answer.
I've read Rafa being slated for his transfers on these boards over the last few years, and whilst in some cases it's been justified, often they have been misinterpreted, or the bigger picture ignored.
Aquilani was a much debated signing, but I think Rafa's words about having signed him for several years, and not just the few months at the beginning of his contract where he was injured, tell us a lot.
Aquilani was a big gamble, unproven in England, and stepping into some big boots with Alonso's departure.
I think we are left with two options. Either Rafa genuinely thinks Lucas provides as much creativity, movement and quality of passing as the Italian, and so is rotating the two, or Aquilani is being deliberately left out of a certain number of games.
I don't think it's a coincidence that Lucas has been selected for many "gritty" matches, in which a tough midfield duo could arguably work. For me, Rafa is trying to play percentages, hoping we can grind out certain results, balancing results and keeping down costs.
It hasn't always worked, but I think the decision-making has been calculated.
And when I have watched some of Aquilani's recent performances, I take my hat off to Rafa for signing him. I can't imagine having been in his shoes last summer, trying to figure out who could replace our man of the season who wanted out to Real Madrid, for a fraction of the cost. I don't know who else could have joined us with the same potential, for just an £8 million outlay in his first year.
Logged
