The former Barcelona playmaker hailed the man who won the Premier League Player of the Year award last season
Kevin De Bruyne is the “best midfielder in the world” according to Xavi, who says the Manchester City star is “on another level” for his colleagues.
De Bruyne has established himself as one of the most consistent players in the Premier League since moving from Wolfsburg to City in 2015.
The 29-year-old has scored 57 goals in 222 games for the Blues and made a staggering 89 assists, 20 of which were recorded in the top division last season.
The Belgian international was rewarded for his outstanding contribution with the award “Premier League Player of the Year” and won the eighth big trophy of his career at the Etihad Stadium with the Carabao Cup.
Xavi, a man widely regarded as the pre-eminent midfielder of his generation at Barcelona, believes De Bruyne should now stand in a similar light because of his decision-making and recklessness in the last third of the field.
The Blaugrana legend and the current head coach of Al Sadd told the story Qatar Airways : “Kevin de Bruyne from Manchester City seems to me on another level, brutal, he can make a difference. He’s the best midfielder in the world and he’s relatively young.”
Xavi expressed his belief that Pep Guardiola remains the best head coach in the industry and highlighted the way he has revolutionized the way football is played.
The Spanish international, who played under a fellow countryman at Barca between 2008 and 2012, added: “Pep is the best manager in the world. He has turned our sport around. He is very good for what he transmits and his leadership skills In addition, as he has convinced us, he is very good. “
Xavi picked Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk when asked about the leading defender in European football. The ex-Barca talisman said of the Dutch center-back: “I would choose Van Dijk because of his leadership, physical strength and good technical ability.”
Xavi has won two trophies as a manager since taking on Al Sadd and has already been linked to the top job at Camp Nou. However, for the time being he is very happy with his current surroundings after seeing his family in Qatar settle into a new way of life.
“Arriving in this country was one of the best decisions of my life,” said Xavi. “I want to emphasize safety, there is no such thing as a crime with strict laws and it is exceptional for family life. The people are very respectful. The quality of life is exceptional. My wife is happy, my children, they were born here, my co-workers is too okay. I’m thrilled. “
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