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Pep Guardiola is an amazing tactician and loves to go deep with intricate details of the game. His fine knowledge and understanding of the game has made him the world-class manager he is now.
With his Tiki-Taka game style of football, the Spaniard has always preferred his team to keep loads of possession. It has not only helped them control the flow of the game but also resulted in giving the opposition minimal chances to exploit.
Pep Guardiola is a tactical genius
Much of Guardiola's gameplay revolves around his midfielders. They may be defensive or attacking-minded, but they are crucial to how the Spaniard wants his team to play.
Fortunately, the Spanish manager has had the chance to manage some outstanding midfielders in his career. Without further ado, let's take a look at those top-quality midfielders to have played for Guardiola.
#5 Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)
Not many midfielders have shown the consistency Sergio Busquets has over the years. The Spaniard is arguably one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation.
With his tactful approach, amazing game-reading and defensive abilities, Busquets has always been a big asset on the pitch. Under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, he managed to make 191 appearances and possibly reached his peak under the Spaniard.
His presence in midfield helped Guardiola's game immensely, especially in recovering the ball when not in possession. The Spanish manager has time and again showered praise for Busquets and even now the experienced midfielder is going strong with his game at Barcelona.
#4 David Silva (Manchester City)
David Silva had already achieved a lot at Manchester City before Pep Guardiola arrived. That being said, it only got better for the former Valencia midfielder with the Spanish manager's appointment.
Using his incisive passing and fascinating creative abilities, Silva looked very dangerous under the management of Guardiola. He played 175 matches with the Spaniard at the helm and was involved in scoring 34 goals and registering 50 assists.
Together, they won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and the EFL Cup three times. David Silva left Manchester City in 2020 and was named in the PFA Team of the Year in his final season under Guardiola.
#3 Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
Pep Guardiola has never shied away from showering love for his players and Kevin de Bruyne has often been on the receiving end of it. The Belgian playmaker is adored by the Spaniard to the core.
Manchester City have a sensational midfielder in de Bruyne. His wide range of passing combined with his terrific vision and execution has been of utmost help to the Premier League club. Under Guardiola, the Belgium midfielder has played 245 matches in which he has scored 58 goals and registered 97 assists.
De Bruyne has won the Premier League thrice with Guardiola at the wheel. He has been named City's best player of the season twice post the arrival of the Spaniard. The dynamic midfielder remains a massive player for the Spanish manager in their ambition to win multiple silverware this season.
#2 Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)
The current Barcelona manager has legendary status at the club as a player. Words do not suffice for his enormous contributions to the Catalan club.
Xavi was arguably one of the best midfielders of his generation and certainly a massive player for Barcelona. He spent 17 seasons with the Spanish club, during which he had the opportunity to work with Pep Guardiola. Xavi's smart reading of the game and breathtaking creative abilities were at their best under Guardiola.
The midfield maestro made 208 appearances under the Spanish manager, winning a number of trophies in the process. Together they won the treble in the 2008-09 season, in which Xavi was named the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year.
#1 Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Speaking of great midfielders, there is no possible way that Andres Iniesta can be eliminated from this sort of discussion. The Spanish midfielder spent 16 seasons at Barcelona, becoming a massive player in the club's history.
Iniesta's silky touch, amazing close control and mind-boggling dribbling skills made him a delightful player. In addition, his playmaking abilities were second to none. Under Guardiola, Iniesta found his true rhythm and potential.
He played 181 matches under Guardiola, scoring 23 goals and registering 53 assists. Iniesta was named the best midfielder in La Liga for three seasons when he played for the Spanish manager.
