Pep Guardiola's greatest U23 XI

In the history of football, there have been events that have had an everlasting impact on the game. One of them was the appointment of Pep Guardiola as FC Barcelona's manager in 2008.

Using the principles of Johan Cruyff, the former Barcelona legend implemented a very distinct style of football that won him the sextuple in his very first year as a manager. After winning all kinds of silverware with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, he is now on his way to win the first Premier League title of his career with Manchester City.

One his most talked about traits is his preference for youth over experience. The list of youngsters that have prospered under his tutelage is long, but today we have narrowed it down to a team of eleven.

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Goalkeeper

Ederson

At Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola was fortunate enough to have services of two esteemed shot-stoppers in Victor Valdes and Manuel Neuer respectively. Unsatisfied with a waning Claudio Bravo at Manchester City, he decided to sign Ederson Morales from Benfica.

The only exception to the age-constraint on this list, Ederson was 23 when he made his competitive debut for Manchester City against Brighton. With a signing amount of £35 million, the Brazilian holds the honour of being the most expensive goalkeeper in EPL history.

Ederson has been exceptional in front of goal this season. Alongside swift shot-stopping and amazing ball-distribution skills, he often made crucial interventions by coming off the line. In just a short period, Ederson has established himself as a key member is Guardiola's squad.

Centre-Backs

Left Centre-Back

Gerard Pique

The future looked bright for Gerard Pique after he completed a successful loan-spell at Real Zaragoza in 2006-07. At Manchester United, however, he was unable to win a starting spot ahead of Vidic and Ferdinand. His disappointment turned to happiness when Guardiola signed him for Barcelona in May 2008.

On return to his boyhood club, Pique displayed terrific chemistry alongside veteran Carlos Puyol. Puyol's tenacity and discipline complimented Pique's technique and vision, and the pair became a nightmare for opposition attackers.

As a part of Guardiola's all-conquering side, Pique won the 2008-09 'La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year' and 'La Liga Best Defender' in 2009-10 among a host of other honours.

Right Centre-Back

John Stones

Over a decade of his managerial career, Pep Guardiola has taken various mindboggling decisions. But the one that stands apart the most was signing John Stones from Everton. A sum of £47.5 million for a 22-year old defender was totally unheard of. This made Stones the second most expensive defender in history after David Luiz.

After a lukewarm debut season, Stones finally found his groove at City in 2017-18. Playing at the heart of Guardiola's three-man defence, Stones almost operates as an old-fashioned sweeper. Experts have praised his passing skills and ability to read the game.

After Matchday 16, City sits at the top of the league table, conceding just 11 goals. Not only has Stones justified his massive transfer amount, but also has shown potential to reach greater heights in the future.

Fullbacks

Left Back

David Alaba

By the time Pep Guardiola set his foot in Munich, David Alaba was already an established name. Bayern's academy graduate was an integral part of their treble win in 2012-13.

Alaba, however, reached his optimum potential under the three-year reign of Guardiola. For him, Alaba was much more than the best left-back in the world. When confronted by injuries, he would always turn towards the Austrian. Alaba, by his intelligence and versatility, would fit into any role within the defence or midfield.

Alongside winning three consecutive league titles under Guardiola, Alaba also won a plethora of individual accolades. Among other honours, he was selected in UEFA Team of the three times in a row and voted as Austrian Sports Personality of the Year in 2013 and 2014.

RightBack

Joshua Kimmich

Joshua Kimmich, Philipp Lahm's successor, Germany's next great full-back, this isn't, however, what he always intended to be. Graduating from VfB Stuttgart's famed youth academy, Kimmich played as a midfielder for RB Leipzig from 2013 to 2015.

After an impressive performance at U21 Euro in the Czech Republic, Pep Guardiola signed the youngster in 2015. But with Bayern's midfield jam-packed, Kimmich had to move out of his comfort zone and play as a centre-back. Despite not being a massive physical specimen, Kimmich used his intelligence and defensive awareness to succeed in the role.

It became evident that Kimmich was skilful enough to play as a defender. But to make use of his attacking prowess, he was designated the role of a right-back by Joachim Low at Euro 2016. The move worked wonders as 21-year-old Joshua Kimmich was declared a part of the 'Team of the Tournament'.

Central-Midfield

Left Central Midfielder

Sergio Busquets

With his father being a former FC Barcelona player, Sergio Busquets had been a part of Barcelona since 2005. Guardiola had his eyes on him since his Barcelona B team days. On Busquets' promotion to the senior team in 2008, Guardiola precisely knew what he expected from him.

Alongside Xavi and Iniesta, Busquets ranks among the finest exponents of the Tiki-Taka style of football. Linking defence to midfield, he would often be the one starting the attack. But most importantly, he would be the one doing all the dirty work while Xavi and Iniesta dictated the tempo of the game.

Busquets' undervaluation compared to his more illustrious team-mates is well documented. But there is no harm in saying that Barcelona's golden generation might not have existed in his absence.

Right Central Midfielder

Thiago Alcantara

Making his senior team debut for Barcelona under Guardiola himself, Thiago was destined for big things. His hattrick in the final of 2013 UEFA European Championship Final was a proof of it. But unable to provide him enough playing time, ahead of Xavi or Iniesta, Barcelona were forced to part away with the midfielder.

Thier loss was Bayern Munich's gain. Guardiola succeeded in signing the prodigy ahead of Manchester United for €25 million. After two injury-plagued seasons, Thiago finally started weaving his magic. The gifted playmaker started displaying his excellent dribbling skills, ball-control and inch-perfect passing.

Before anyone could realize, Thiago became Bayern's heartline. Year by year, his value to the side kept on increasing. Currently suffering from a muscle injury, Bavarians all over the world are praying for the creative midfielder's earliest possible return.

Wide-Midfield

Left-Midfielder

Leroy Sane

Based on current form, Raheem Sterling might seem a better choice for this spot. But it's worth noticing that Sterling was already a star at Liverpool and joined Manchester before Guardiola's arrival. On the other hand, Leroy Sane was a promising name signed by Pep Guardiola himself.

Sane had an impressive 2016-17 debut season, as he was getting used league football in England. The German winger had a hand in 17 goals for City including 10 in EPL itself. Deservedly, he also got nominated for 2017 PFA Young Player of the Year award.

In the new season, Sane has significantly raised his game. He has been an integral part of Manchester City's ruthless attack, creating loads of opportunities using his pace and dribbling skills.

Right-Midfielder

Pedro Rodriguez

Like many of his other Barcelona teammates, Pedro Rodriguez also rose up through the ranks of La Masia. During the treble-winning 2008-09 season, Pedro impressed his manager during the few odd games he played, convincing him for a promotion to the senior team.

Then onwards, Pedro became Guardiola's trump card. On paper, he wasn't as big a threat as Messi, Ibrahimovic or Villa. But hiding in their shadows, Pedro would regularly score goals for the team at crucial junctions.

Pedro crossed the 20-goal mark twice under Guardiola and even scoring in the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final. But his most noteworthy achievement remains to be the first footballer in history to score in six different official club competitions in one season.

Centre-Forwards

Left Centre-Forward

Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus was a sensation at Palmeiras. After running riots with their junior team, the teenager guided the Brazilian side to their first national league title in 22 years. Jesus, still 19 years old then, was named the league's 'Player of the Season' in 2016.

Dubbed as the new Ronaldo Nazario, the list of clubs interested in signing Jesus included the who's who of European football. It was Manchester City, however, who brought the youngster to Europe in January 2017. The Rio Olympics gold medalist ended his debut season at City racking up seven goals in just ten league appearances.

This season, Jesus has formed a lethal strike partnership with fellow South American Sergio Aguero. With ten goals and four assists already, Jesus is well on the path of becoming the next footballing icon from Brazil.

Right Centre-Forward

Lionel Messi

Is there anything about Lionel Messi that hasn't been said before? The seeds of his greatness were sown years ago, but their actual germination started under the watchful eyes of Pep Guardiola.

Let's just look at Messi's achievements during the four seasons he played under Guardiola. Three La Liga titles, two UEFA Champions League wins, two Club World Cups, two European Golden Shoe, four La Liga best players awards and the list is everlasting. And did we mention that he became the first man on earth to win four consecutive Ballon d'Or titles!

Is Messi the greatest footballer of all-time? Debatable. But his performance under Pep Guardiola can undoubtedly be put as the greatest a footballer has ever played under one manager.

Using the 4-4-2 formation, here's how the team looks altogether: