Cazorla explains what Xavi could give to Barca

James Shearman

• 27 Oct 2021 09:50 CDT
• 3 min read

Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla thinks Xavi would be a perfect fit as head coach of Barcelona.

Cazorla plays under Xavi at Qatari club Al Sadd, who have gone 34 games without losing in the league, so knows exactly what the 41-year-old could bring to La Blaugrana.

And Barcelona's current boss, Ronald Koeman, is under immense pressure at Camp Nou, to the extent that a large number of fans would greatly appreciate his immediate departure.

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The Catalan giants currently sit ninth in La Liga, already five points behind rivals Real Madrid, so it appears it won't be much longer before a change in head coach does take place.

And Cazorla has detailed what makes Xavi an ideal candidate for, arguably, the most challenging job in world football.

Why Xavi fits Barcelona

Barcelona have a very unique approach to the game, one which Xavi knows inside out.

And the 2010 World Cup winner seems to be implementing that same style of play at Al Sadd, albeit with a lower calibre of player.

''[Xavi] wants the ball and training is based on possession and positional play - pure Barca school,'' Cazorla told Marca. ''And we defend by having the ball. This is how we play each game in an inalienable way.''

''I think he understands football that way and practices it. He is not the only one, but perhaps, when it comes to having the ball, Xavi is unique.

''At [the Spanish national team], when we were teammates, we already had that football philosophy. It is very clear to him.''

But, of course, not all is about the aesthetics. And with that in mind, Cazorla reflected on winning five trophies in such a short space of time in Qatar.

This goes to show that Xavi's ideas, in the mould of 'the Barcelona way', have brought success alongside the enjoyable viewing. And that's what the La Liga legend would be judged on at Camp Nou.

Indeed, Cazorla thinks Xavi has the minerals to do just that.

''I think he's fully prepared [to coach Barcelona],'' he added. ''It is his dream and he has it in mind, whenever it is in the future. He has it internalized, and few people know the club like him. I think he's perfectly equipped.''