<
>

Xavi: Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley good enough to play for Barca

English pair Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley have the quality to play for Barcelona, according to club legend Xavi.

Barkley, 20, has long been tipped as the future of the England midfield and recently penned a new five-year deal at Everton, while the 19-year-old Sterling made the breakthrough into the Liverpool side under Brendan Rodgers and has become an integral part of the attack for both club and country.

Both players have been linked with high-profile moves recently: Barkley to Manchester City and Chelsea; Sterling to Real Madrid. But Xavi insists that they have the quality to play at the Nou Camp if they desired.

"Yes, why not? I think that they could," he told Squawka. "They have incredible physical capabilities and they are good technically.

"In Spain, we prioritise players who are technically gifted but both things are very important in football."