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Andres Iniesta is the jewel in the crown of the Barcelona midfield and is a maestro worthy of the greatest of honours. He's won everything there is to win as a football playing in the Liga BBVA and yet there's only one thing he can lose to: time. He is not getting younger and the number of appearances he's making for the side can soon reduce just like his former partner in the centre: Xavi. We look at five of the best midfielders in world football who could adequately replace the Spaniard magician in the future at the heart of Barcelona's midfield:
#5 Denis Suarez
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Denis Suarez is a potential long-term prospect at the centre of midfield. He's been with Barcelona since 2013 from Manchester City after initially spending time in Spain with Celta Vigo – until he was sold to Villareal CF in the summer of this season – and learnt the ways of the club given the time he's spent at La Masia and the occasional training sessions with the Barcelona first team.
Suarez is armed with a vision that could potential go on to come close to Iniesta's on the field and his turn of pace when on the ball allows him to get past players with ease. Throughout all his time at La Masia, Suarez racked up an average of 82% pass completion rate in all the levels of competition. Iniesta, meanwhile, averages a mammoth 89.8% in all competitions both domestic and European.
Denis still has a long way to go in his development and with Luis Enrique hinting back in December that he's willing to bring him back to the Nou Camp, it's no surprise even the Barcelona board and coaching staff think he's good enough to play for the Catalan giants.
#4 Jack Wilshere
Back in 2011, when Jack Wilshere bossed the midfield in the UEFA Champions League when Arsenal took on Barcelona, he announced himself to the world as a tough-tackling quick-paced midfielder who was capable of doing just as great in both attack and defence but since then, Jack's career has stalled. Injuries have hampered his growth and he's been in and out of the Arsenal first team.
Yet he hasn't lost the magic that made him stand out when everyone else looked mediocre. When he started for England in November against Slovenia, he scored two incredible goals, was at the heart of every movement the team partook in. It's the same case for when he starts for Arsenal, he's undroppable when in peak form.
The likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey may often catch the headlines but young Jack is still the pass-master for the way he reads the game and carves open defences. If Jack Wilshere is ever offered the chance to join Barcelona, it'll be a hell of a decision to make given his love for the Gunners but if he chooses to move to Catalan, the club can be sure they have the right player to replace the enigmatic Iniesta.
#3 Sergi Samper
Sergi Samper is yet another La Masia product that Barcelona should look to make the most out of. Having featured only once for the Catalans this season, Samper has often been touted as the heir to the throne Iniesta currently occupies. He's got great passing, a lovely turn albeit is a little more defensive that Barcelona would like.
With age on his side, however, Samper has all the right ingredients to dominate the Liga in years to come. He's often been linked with European giants in Manchester United, Arsenal and PSG and that in itself is tantamount to the quality of the player.
In the one Champions League game that Sergi Samper has played this season, he racked up a successful pass percentage rate of 93% – a high compared to the others on this list but with the solitary apperance, doesn't carry as much weight as we'd like.
Either way, he's another one of La Masia and knows the club and that could heavily play to his advantage. Barcelona will know that they truly have one of 'their own' if Samper is one replacing Iniesta in the heart of midfield.
#2 Isco
Given that he plays for arch rivals, Real Madrid, Isco's move to Barcelona may be a farfetched one but one – if pulled off – would represent an incredible buy for Barcelona. Given his range of passing, his runs off the ball and his eye for goal, Isco would prove to be the perfect replacement for Iniesta.
Whenever he starts for Real Madrid, he's made something happen and Madrid knew of his quality before they signed him from Malaga – a club where he truly announced to the world that he was as good as it got.
With a successful pass percentage of 89.5%, Isco has better-passing statistics than the one he could potentially replace in Iniesta – who has a successful pass percentage of 87.9%. Iniesta is famous for the runs he makes into the box when the time calls for it and Isco has demonstrated the same this season and the last where he's scored 5 goals and has gather over 10 assists given the little to none playing time he gets.
Isco might get a lot of hate from Real Madrid if he moves to Barcelona but the receiving club will be glad they got Isco for he's a talent worth watching out for.
#1 Thiago Alcantara
The golden child of La Masia, Thiago, was widely expected to take over the reigns once either one of Xavi and Andres Iniesta retired, but the diminutive midfielder followed favoured manager, Pep Guardiola, to European giants Bayern Munich.
With an average successful pass completion rate of 88.4%, Thiago is one of the brightest midfield prospects since the likes of Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and more. Once Pep Guardiola leaves Bayern Munich at the end of the season, it's unsure whether he will stay at Bayern or move with the Spanish coach to Manchester.
With one goal, six assists in twenty-five appearances for Bayern this season, Thiago is proving to be every bit of money the Bavarians spent on him to bring him to the Bundesliga. With his strong passing and excellent dribbling skills, Thiago would be the perfect replacement for the outgoing Iniesta. Linking up with fellow forwards is what he does best and he could be a huge hit given the forward line the current Catalans boast of.
