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Being selected at any time by Pep Guardiola is an incredible achievement, but what about those who have been chosen most often?
The Catalan established himself as one of the true greats of football management both in the last decade and at the beginning of the previous one, and since 2009 he has managed to obtain no less than eight top-level league titles in Spain, Germany and England. .
But what about the players who helped him along the way?
Continuing with our latest XI series, we take a look at Guardiola’s most-used players during their time in management, and we come to see that the team’s consistency has been one of the key elements of its success.
(Image: Getty Images)
- The XI is made up of players who made the most appearances with our featured player or our featured manager. We are not looking for a ‘Better’ XI overall, and the player / manager is not on it.
- For a player, the appearance numbers are based on the time they spent on the field at the same time as our main man, taking into account both club and international level.
- These aren’t necessarily the eleven players who spent most of the time on the field with / for him, just the eleven who would fit into a team.
- We are not going to make it to a Garth Crooksesque formation, but we could name submarines if we wanted to.
- All minutes played and appearance statistics are courtesy of transfermarkt.co.uk.
- Don’t be mad in the comments section.
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Here is your team.
Goalkeeper: Victor Valdes
Appearances under Guardiola: 200
(Image: Getty Images)
In what will be a recurring theme on this side, Valdés was a key part of the Barcelona team during Guardiola’s four years at the club between 2008 and 2012, winning three league titles and the Champions League.
Right back: Dani Alves
Appearances under Guardiola: 208
(Image: AFP / Getty Images)
After signing for Barça in Guardiola’s first season, the Brazilian right-back attacker would become a large part of the Catalan team’s attacking production.
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Central back: Gerard Piqué
Appearances under Guardiola: 183
(Image: REUTERS)
Having returned to the club since Manchester United in the same summer that Guardiola was installed as boss, Piqué has become part of the club’s furniture and is still there today.
Center-back: Carles Puyol
Appearances under Guardiola: 164
(Image: Action Images)
An inspiring leader at the back of Guardiola, the furry-haired center back was a key figure at the heart of Barça’s successes before his retirement in 2014.
Left: Eric Abidal
Appearances under Guardiola: 142
(Image: AFP / Getty Images)
The Frenchman’s six years in Barcelona included Guardiola’s four, and he was a regular for his manager, as the team became one of the best to play the game.
Midfield: Sergio Busquets
Appearances under Guardiola: 191
(Image: Getty Images)
Another who emerged from the youth ranks in Barcelona after Guardiola’s appointment as boss, midfield general Busquets, has become key to the club’s successes.
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Midfield: Xavi
Appearances under Guardiola: 208
(Image: EFE / PA Images)
Perhaps the key figure in the way Guardiola’s tactics worked, Xavi led midfield in Barcelona and sought to start and play crucial roles in the attacks.
Midfield: Seydou Keita
Appearances under Guardiola: 188
(Image: Getty Images)
The big surprise in midfield, Keita was, however, one of Guardiola’s favorites and he does so because of his consistent selections during his four years at the club.
He beats Andrés Iniesta by seven games.
Attack: Pedro
Appearances under Guardiola: 167
(Image: AFP / Getty Images)
The fleet advance was a valuable squad player for Guardiola, and one who contributed greatly to two Champions League successes.
Attack: Raheem Sterling
Appearances under Guardiola: 183
(Image: X03805)
The only non-Barcelona name to enter, Sterling has become Guardiola’s key attacker during his four years in Manchester City, and it is almost never neglected.
Attack: Lionel Messi
Appearances under Guardiola: 219
(Image: AFP / Getty Images)
It is appropriate that Lionel Messi take the number 1 spot as the player who has played the most games under Guardiola, holding the Argentine master’s key to Barça’s successes for four magical years.
Subs: Neuer (152), Otamendi (154), Fernandinho (165), Iniesta (181), De Bruyne (168), Silva (163), Agüero (160).
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