By Ollie Irish
If you had to select the best five-aside team from your club’s squad, who would be in it? There can be only five, as they once said in Highlander (sort of).
With the fives of Arsenal and Aston Villa tucked safely in our shorts, today is the turn of the mighty, awesome, godlike, we-are-not-worthy Barcelona. So much talent to choose from, but which five stars make the cut? Read on…
VICTOR VALDES – Obviously, though it seems to waste 20% of any Barca side on a keeper. VV is a safe pair of hands, usually. Next…
GERARD PIQUE – ‘Piquenbauer’ is a lovely passer of the ball – so important in five-aside, of course – and he has a surprisingly good eye for goal, no matter how tight the angle. So his progressiveness earns him a call-up ahead of the likes of Dani Alves and Carles Puyol (a bit too ragged for the short game?). And yes, I was tempted to play him as a rush keeper.
XAVI – Essential. Just doesn’t give the ball away, and is fitter and more muscular than you might think of such a cultured player. In this photo, you can clearly see his junk. Which is nice.
ANDRES INIESTA – A genius at close quarters, and has a near-telepathic relationship with Xavi. They’d form a twin-headed five-aside nightmare for any defender. Tika and Taka, if you like.
LIONEL MESSI – Gulp. Sweet baby Jesus, what a five-aside team Barca could field – and still no room for David Villa! And with Xavi, Iniesta and Messi around, is there any need for a keeper? They’d never lose the ball. Ping ping ping ping… goal. Repeat until opponents become demoralised.
Agree/disagree with our selection? Let’s see what you’ve got…