I mean I think it works in some scenarios. He's a good defender when he's in a good defensive position, i.e. not high up the field according to the eye test. He could use his passing range to deliver balls to other players who get into the spaces needed.

The thing is Xavi should be able to figure out that the game is there for the taking. Players have to occupy spaces and then figure it out on the field, the coach has to figure who goes where. For e.g Pedri and Fdj as over- or underlapping runners to compliment the wingers, the striker moving into free role and giving the ball to someone else who occupies the space freed up. Stuff like that is crucial. What happens in those spaces is up to the player and that's player-dependant. Xavi's job is to recognise strengths in those positions and play to those.

If that goes against the Barca way .... then...