Exactly! I actually think the individual qualities of that Barcelona side between 2009 and 2011 and impossible to measure. It was the ultimate "system" team that it's difficult to know just exactly how good each of them was. Obviously they were all top quality players but it was such an unconventional side that it's hard to tell where was the line between the players making the system work so perfectly and the system making the players look exceptional instead of normal top players. The current is different, they function in a much more conventional way, I would say they're even a bit close to our team from 2007-2009 in that they get the ball to their front players as quick as possible. It is easier then to see the individual quality of each and in that case, the current top 3 are by far the best in the past 20 years or so IMO.
I agree, its much more conventional football and its yielding better results despite Xavi not really contributing much. Especially the defending, while they still press like crazy they don't live and die by it. They get men behind the ball ridiculously quickly and efficiently. This is leaving them not as vulnerable to the counter as they were before when teams 'beat' the press.
The team was really a combination of all the good stuff falling into place at the perfect time. The set up suited them and the lack of great teams that play pragmatic football also contributed to the success.
Anyways this front three is something else altogether. You have 3 of the best 6 players in world football in the same line who all contribute something unique to the line. While the others perhaps play more disciplined roles in order to rightfully give Messi the control of the attack, they still have the ability to make things happen out of nothing. The Messi, Villa, and pedro combo had messi as too much of a dominant player in it. While the others were good players, they weren't of this suarez/neymar level as individuals. The real argument really is(in recent times) if they are better than Messi, Henry, and eto'o or the Dinho, Ronaldo, and rivaldo freak show.