Xavi on why he doesn't need physical midfielders

In the press conference ahead of the Benfica clash, Xavi was asked whether he wanted Barcelona to sign physical midfielders just like the previous coach did.

"We already have physical midfielders. Frenkie de Jong or Nico Gonzalez. And even Sergio Busquets, without being very strong, is one of the midfielders who recovers the most balls in the world," the coach said.

"To play like we do, you don't have to be two meters tall and weigh 85 kilos... Look at how many balls Pedri recovers, like Andres Iniesta did who was just 1.70m. But we have the profile you ask for, Nico or De Jong."

Back in the summer, it was rumoured that Ronald Koeman asked the club to sign a physical midfielder. It's a known fact that Barca went after Georginio Wijnaldum, although unsuccessfully.

Source: FC Barcelona