Pep needs his golden boys taken off him this summer so he can’t put his faith in them any longer! He’s seems to have lost his ruthless streak to be honest and has gone back to his favourites rather than the hungry guys desperate to impress.
I agree, but this is why he left Barca in 2012.
That team became tired and worn in his third season from all the demands he put on them and he didn't want to be the guy that told a few of those players they are not wanted anymore. So instead he let Tito reinvigorate them with a new voice to go again.
He has never had to tell his battle won soldiers it's time to go.
It was a little easier with Aguero and co because they were never his signings.
This is not necessarily a flaw of Pep, it's a humanitarian side of his character that has to be commended. It's why so many players love playing for him. However it is difficult when the story needs to end.
He is going to have to bite the bullet this summer.