FC Barcelona have gone two and a half years looking for a replacement for Xavi Hernandez and they still have not found one. On the way they have pent more than 90m euros with five signings who have delivered inconsistent displays. Another 30 on trying to make Cesc the successor to the best midfielder in history before that.

Xavi left after winning the treble in 2014-15, to Al-Sadd in Qatar, having spent 17 seasons in the first team and winning 25 titles (including 4 UCLs and 8 La Ligas). He left the team an orphan of his football, football which made Barcelona the best team of all time.

A year before Xavi seemed poised to leave, after a disastrous season with Tata Martino as coach. And Barcelona signed two central midfielders to take his place, Rakitic and Rafinha. The Croatian cost 18m euros with 3m in incentives, and brought back Rafinha from loan at Celta Vigo.

Xavi, despite the signings, remained a key figure and helped Barcelona win the treble.

ERRORS WITH ARDA AND GOMES

Xavi's departure coincided with Barcelona's FIFA transfer ban. They signed Arda Turan for 34m, plus 7m in variables, who was only able to play in January 2016. The ex-Atletico man, however, has offered his best performances as a winger and nearly came close to leaving for China.

Then Barcelona spent 35m on Gomes, plus 20m in variables, as well as 3.2m on getting Denis Suarez back. Neither one nor the other has lived up to expectations so far, especially the Portuguese, who cost the fee of a megastar.

CESC AND THIAGO

Barcelona paid 29m to Arsenal for Cesc Fabregas back in 2011, but he did not succeed, and he was sold to Chelsea for 33m after three seasons.

Possibly the only player who might have been able to take Xavi's reigns was Thiago Alcantara, but the club let him leave for Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich. Barcelona sold him for 25m and lost the opportunity to have a successor for Xavi Hernandez.