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The Guardiola-era has been the most glorious spell in Barcelona's magnificent history. In his four seasons at the club, he won an unbelievable number of trophies, including three Spanish leagues and two Champions Leagues. In those four years they won 14 out of a possible 19 trophies, an unparalleled achievement in footballing history.
Much of his success can be accredited to Barca's fabled youth academy, La Masia. After all, eight players in Barcelona's usual starting XI were homegrown. However, the real test for any Barca manager has been the ability to mix this homegrown talent with top quality imports.
Signing players at Barcelona is exceptionally hard, not only must the players be extraordinarily talented, they must suit the club's philosophy, having what they call the Barca DNA. Pep has made some exceptional signings who ended up contributing for the team's overall success. Here are the top five.
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#5 Alexis Sanchez - 2011
Signed from Italian side Udinese for €23.4 million, Sanchez became the first Chilean to play for Barcelona. Sanchez said that he would like to learn from the great players at Barcelona and would also like to win silverware with them after making the move.
He helped the Catalans do exactly that, with a league title, Copa del Rey victory, and a Fifa Club World Cup among the many honours collected in his time at the club.
Sanchez moved to the English Premier League side Arsenal FC and became one of the most enthralling players in England. The one thing that kept him so down on the list is that his time working with Pep at Barca was just one season. He could have won more titles, at the cost of game time or the spotlight perhaps; instead, he became Arsenal’s MVP at the cost of endless trophies.
Now at Manchester United, Sanchez will want to improve on his poor start at the club and win some more silverware while he is still at his peak.
#4 Javier Mascherano - 2010
Javier Mascherano joined the Catalan club in the summer of 2010 for a reported fee of £18 million, after controversially leaving Liverpool. He had a few problems adapting to the club at in his first years, but he turned out to be an inspiring signing.
He was great back-up for Busquets and he also filled in brilliantly at center-back with Pique when Barcelona were affected by an injury crisis in defense.
Pique and Mascherano formed a solid partnership at the back and it stayed that way until Barca signed French international and former Olympique Lyon player, Samuel Umtiti.
Mascherano turned out to be the chieftain at the back and was never hesitant whilst going for a well timed tackle. He left Barcelona in January of 2018 as he wanted to make the World Cup squad with enough game time.
#3 David Villa - 2010
After Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Barca career went south really fast, Pep Guardiola understood that he needed a proven world class striker who could fit the team's system if he wanted to recapture the elusive Champions League title. At the time, paying £36 million for Villa might have seemed a bit much, but hindsight has made it look like an absolute bargain.
The Asturian striker brought goals, assists and tireless work ethic, not to mention that he developed a fabulous partnership with Pedro Rodriguez and especially Lionel Messi. His arrival took the team to the next level; his goal in the Champions League final only capped off a truly wonderful season.
#2 Dani Alves - 2008
The first thing that Guardiola asked for after becoming the coach of the first team was to ask for the signing of a defender from Sevilla. £32 million might seem a lot for a defender back in 2008, but it was actually a bargain in Daniel Alves's case.
The Brazilian was a right back and a right winger at the same time for Barcelona, he pretty much covered the entire flank and never seemed to tire out.
He was a solid defender and a key part of the team's offense. In his last season, only Messi had more assists than Alves. In his last five seasons at Barcelona, no player in Europe had racked up more assists in all competitions than Alves, an incredible stat for a defender.
No other player in the world could have done what Alves did at Barcelona in his time. He was truly one of Pep Guardiola's most inspired signings.
#1 Gerard Pique - 2008
The first place on this list could only go to Gerard Piqué, for the simple fact that he was an absolute bargain. £5 million for one of the world's finest defenders is a genius piece of business.
Piqué is actually a La Masia graduate, but he joined Manchester United in 2004. He didn't get many opportunities in the first team at United, but Guardiola saw his potential and signed him.
The rest is history. Piqué has now formed probably the best centre back pairing with Samuel Umtiti and is an indisputable starter at Barca. A world champion with Spain and one of the world's greatest center backs.
He still remains the greatest signing made by Guardiola in his time at the club, and it is very hard to imagine any future signing better than this one.
Agree with our list? Disagree? Let us know in the comments below!
