5 midfielders who can replace Andres Iniesta at Barcelona
Andres Iniesta is one of the greatest players of all time and is just the kind of player any manager would love to have in his ranks. The midfield maestro has been the mainstay of Barcelona and Spain's golden generation and is a true ambassador of the game.
He has been at Barcelona throughout his career having joined the club's youth setup way back in 1996. The Barcelona skipper made his senior team debut in 2002 under Louis van Gaal and has since made 646 appearances, a number only bettered by Xavi. He also has 30 trophies to his name including 4 UCL titles and has been included in the FIFPro World 11 for 9 consecutive years.
Iniesta has been a selfless servant for Barcelona over the years, and recently signed a "contract for life" which will keep him at the club for the rest of his playing career, and still be associated with the club in non-playing capacity post-retirement, but he will be 34 by the time next season starts and Barcelona are looking at suitable successors for the club legend. Here we take a look at 5 players who could replace him at Barcelona.
#5 Philippe Coutinho
Philippe Coutinho was subject of intense transfer speculation over the summer and it is unlikely we have seen the end of it. He is Barcelona's priority target to replace Iniesta and they went all out for him only to be rebuffed by Liverpool time and again.
The Brazilian international joined Liverpool from Inter in 2013 and has since grown into a key figure at the club. He was magnificent for the Reds last season and his performances helped Jurgen Klopp's men finish in the top 4. His dribbling, passing and vision suit Barcelona's style of play while his 47 goals in 192 appearances for Liverpool indicate he also has an eye for goal. His play in the attacking third is admirable and he also has a 81% pass success rate this season, a key requirement for a Barcelona midfielder.
He had his heart set on a move past summer but Liverpool have turned out to be difficult negotiators for Barcelona in the past as well, but if he continues to perform the way he has been, his dream move could soon be a reality.