Xavi Named Two England ‘Golden Generation’ Players Who Could Have Played For Barcelona

Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, and, of course, Xavi made up what was perhaps the best midfield in history for Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona team. Further up the pitch, players like Lionel Messi were able to thrive because the triumvirate controlled European football.

It is difficult to picture any other players breaking the norm and unseating any of the three given their talent and what first appeared to be an impregnable foundation. But at one point, Xavi disclosed which two English players he thought would have been good enough to make it into that Los Cules starting lineup.

Xavi Claims Gerrard and Lampard Could’ve Played for Barcelona

The club’s former manager explained what made the English duo good enough

In a 2014 interview with the BBC, Xavi was asked which English players he would have enjoyed playing with. After mentioning a few players from a past generation, he focused on the players who were now competing and said that Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard may have had an effect on that unique team.

Both players are regarded as two of the best midfielders to have ever played for the Three Lions and were important members of England’s golden generation. Xavi provided the following justification for why they might blend in at Camp Nou:

“Any outstanding player with technical talent would be on my team. Both Lampard and Gerrard could have played for Barcelona. They have excellent technique as players. In this case, technique takes precedence over the game’s physical components. Many English players could therefore play for Barcelona.

Xavi Reveals the English Players He Admired Growing Up

A Southampton legend is a surprise inclusion

When asked if any English celebrities had a significant influence on him as a child in the same interview, Xavi said that he enjoyed watching Matt Le Tissier, a former Southampton player, as a child. The former Spanish international also praised John Barnes and Paul Gascoigne in particular.

“I recall Matt Le Tissier, Paul Gascoigne, and John Barnes. We used to watch a lot of football in England. Le Tissier scored some incredible goals, and they used to play highlights,” Xavi said. “I recall the’sombrero’ at Wembley [Gascoigne’s goal against Scotland] and the fantastic games he played during the European Championships in England. It was amazing.

The World Cup and Champions League champion chose Jack Wilshere as the player he believed had the greatest future in the English game. Unfortunately, Wilshere would have to retire within ten years owing to a series of injuries, leaving his amazing potential unrealised.