Top 10 greatest Barcelona midfielders of all-time

#9: Phillip Cocu

Phillip Cocu rose to prominence under Louis Van Gaal at Barcelona

A tireless general in the midfield, Dutchman Philip Cocu made a name for himself under Louis Van Gaal at Barcelona. It was a bit of bad luck that Cocu played for Barcelona in their darkest times as the world failed to recognize his potential on the field.

A left-footed player, known for his technique and vision, the Dutchman was an attacking midfielder and played together with giants like Rivaldo and Luis Figo.

Louis Van Gaal is a winner no doubt, but it is really a tough job finding people who don't throw jibes at him. Cocu, however, turned out to be the opposite after citing the fellow Dutchman as the reason for his rise to fame.

Cocu replaced Giovanni in the midfield and partnered Luis Enrique, proving to be the driving motor in the Van Gaal era at the Nou Camp. He is one of the rare species to convert positions successfully. His versatility allowed him to be an equally effective defensive midfielder as an attacking playmaker.

Before the arrival of Lionel Messi, Cocu boasted the most number of appearances by a foreigner for Barcelona. The playmaker appeared 291 times in a course of six seasons and scored 31 goals for the club. For is relentless services to Barca, Cocu rightly walks the hall of fame at the Nou Camp.