Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas, Hector Bellerin… how a Catalan XI could look should they gain sought-after independence
As Catalonia bids to break free from Spain following Sunday' referendum, check out how their team could line-up
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SCENES from Sunday’s Catalan independence referendum, and the subsequent violent fallout, have been making news around the world this week.
The chaos surrounding the vote caused Barcelona’s La Liga fixture against Las Palmas at the Camp Nou to be played behind closed doors.
Our friends at Football Whispers have taken a look at the longer-term impact Catalan independence could have on the football world by imagining a select XI of players born in Catalonia.
The region already has its own national side, and has since 1905, with many well-known stars having appeared down the years.
But the Catalan team is not recognised by Fifa or Uefa, and therefore unable to play in major tournaments.
However, if Catalonia is eventually granted independence from Spain, that will change.
Here’s how they could line up...
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GK – Kiko Casilla – Real Madrid
With former Barcelona and Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes now retired, Real Madrid’s Kiko Casilla is the outstanding candidate to keep goal for Catalonia.
The 31-year-old is Keylor Navas’ understudy at the Bernabeu, but is experienced with one full cap for Spain, five for Catalonia and more than 100 La Liga appearances under his belt from his time at Espanyol.
RB – Hector Bellerin – Arsenal
A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin was a Barcelona transfer target over the summer, only for Barca to instead opt to sign Nelson Semedo from Benfica.
With three caps for Spain and as a standout at under-21 level, Bellerin would be an asset for Catalonia.
CB – Gerard Pique – Barcelona
A fiercely proud Catalan, Pique has made no secret of his political beliefs when it comes to the region’s independence, and has even said he’ll walk away from the Spanish national team, with whom he won the World Cup in 2010, if his views become an issue.
Pique has won a multitude of honours at club and international level, including four Champions League titles across spells with Manchester United and Barcelona, and would love nothing more than to lead Catalonia into an international tournament.
CB – Marc Bartra – Borussia Dortmund
Although he was never able to crack the first team on a regular basis, Bartra earned five La Liga winners’ medals during his time with Barcelona, and he could be set to add a Bundesliga title to his collection this season, with Dortmund leading the way in Germany.
Excellent on the ball and strong in the air, Bartra is a classy operator at the back and has appeared five times for Catalonia.
LB – Jordi Alba – Barcelona
A Barcelona academy product, Alba left for Valencia as a youngster before being brought back to the Camp Nou after developing into one of the best left-backs in the world.
Dynamic and effective in attack and better defensively than he is given credit for, the 55-cap Spain international would add width and balance to this side.
CM – Xavi – Al Sadd
A bona fide legend with Barcelona and Spain, Xavi has won everything there is to win in the game, include a World Cup, two European Championships and multiple Champions League titles.
At 37, the Catalan playmaker is beyond his prime, but passing skills, vision and leadership like his don’t disappear overnight. He may not be as mobile as he once was, but Xavi, now playing with Al Sadd in Qatar, could pull the strings for Catalonia.
CM – Sergio Busquets – Barcelona
Symbolically, Catalan midfielder Busquets grabbed a rare goal for Barcelona on the day of the independence referendum, helping Barca on their way to a 3-0 victory over Las Palmas inside an empty Camp Nou.
Rarely the name up in light, no Barcelona player, coach or fan will underestimate Busquets’ importance; he’s the one to set the tempo, protect the back four and start attacking moves from deep.
CM – Cesc Fabregas – Chelsea
A Premier League veteran who debuted in the English top flight as a 16-year-old at Arsenal, Chelsea’s Fabregas is an assist master, one of the most creative midfielders in world football and the man to break down opposition defences in this select XI.
Another La Masia product, Fabregas left Barca as a teenager but returned during the reign of Pep Guardiola before moving back to the Premier League to spearhead Chelsea’s title tilt in 2014/15.
RW – Sergi Roberto – Barcelona
A central midfielder by trade, Roberto spent most of last season at right-back for Barcelona and has featured on the right wing this term.
A reported Chelsea and Manchester United transfer target, the technically skilled, versatile midfielder would be an asset to any side at club or international level.
LW – Keita Balde Diao – Monaco
He may represent Senegal at international level, but Monaco’s £25million summer signing Keita Balde Diao was born in Catalonia and turned out for the Catalan side in 2015.
A Barcelona youth graduate, the 22-year-old winger excelled in Serie A with Lazio before earning his big-money move to the French champions this summer.
ST – Gerard Moreno – Espanyol
He may not be among La Liga’s more prolific strikers, with 45 career league goals to his name, but Espanyol’s Moreno is a tidy operator.
The 25-year-old came through the ranks at Villarreal before returning to Catalonia to join the second-biggest team in Barcelona in 2015.
Substitutes
Former Barcelona speedster Christian Tello would be a fine back-up option on the wings, as would ex-Everton man Gerard Deulofeu, who has impressed with Barca this season.
Espanyol striker Sergio Garcia is a La Liga veteran and Catalonia’s highest-ever scorer with nine goals.
Versatile Barcelona full-back-cum-winger Aleix Vidal could offer an alternative to Sergi Roberto, while former Stoke City striker Bojan Krkic is another attacking option.
In midfield, Southampton’s Oriol Romeu is the ideal stand-in for Busquets.
Manager – Pep Guardiola
The Manchester City manager is a proud Catalan and a hero at the Camp Nou from his playing days and his vastly successful stint there as manager.
The former Bayern Munich coach is the perfect man to guide this gifted group of players.