From "Habaib" to Pedri, the Spanish midfielder still has to rely on Barca?

It is often said that the essence of Spanish football is in the midfield, the most famous representatives are Xavi and Iniesta, the Spanish team was able to climb to the top of the world, thanks in large part to the combination of the midfield of the pair's exquisite skills - because Spain's football style emphasizes possession, emphasizes tearing apart the defense through exquisite local coordination, and also requires the player's inspiration to change the game.

After Xavi and Iniesta faded out, the Spanish midfield tested a lot of people, such as Thiago, Isco, Cork, Saul, Fabian Luiz and Canales, so what kind of midfield can bring success to the Matadors?

Before the fame of possession play in 2008-2012, Spain actually focused more on the 4231 formation based on double backs at the national team level, requiring someone behind the striker to plan the attack and sharp side knives to constantly harass the opposing defense.

For example, in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, Joaquin with the ball and De Pedro, who was good at crossing from the side, formed the two wings of the Spanish team; in the 2004 European Championship, Baraja, Albelda, Alonso and Xavi all played in the four major backs, especially Baraja Alberda, the pillar of Valencia's midfield was at its peak, when Spain had Joaquin, Vicente, Luke and other powerful wingers, as well as A Coruña forward Valerón who was good at planning attacks, but unfortunately, These names, which are very loud even in European football, did not help Spain to achieve a breakthrough in the competition.

What did Spain rely on for their success in the European Championships and World Cups? In the three major competitions from 2008 to 12, the main squad of the Spanish team has rarely set up full-time wingers.

In addition to Xavi and Iniesta, Silva, who often moves on the right side, is more accustomed to cutting inward to the middle of the ball; in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the main lineup of the Spanish team included centre-back Pique and Puyol, midfielders Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets, forwards Villa, Pedro and other up to 7 Barca players, especially the midfield composed of Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets is considered one of the most successful midfield combinations in the history of European football, and the "brain" Xavi who swims the whole field. Iniesta, who is extremely capable of getting rid of a small range, and Busquets, who have carried on Barca's "No. 4" tradition, form a pair of midfielders with the best ability to control the ball and create chances, and another midfielder from Barca's youth, Fabregas, is one of the most important substitutes in the Spanish squad.

Because Harvey and Iniesta were so high-level, finding a successor for them became a very important thing after the two stars faded out. One of the effects of Tiki-Taka's tactics is that Spain has cultivated a lot of midfielders who are known for possession, reception and short passes under the guidance of the idea of passing, and the "winger fever" at the beginning of the century has gradually faded, and Thiago, Isco and Cork have become the successors with high hopes in Spanish football, and the development trajectories of the three are different: Thiago left Barca and went to Bayern and Liverpool, but has achieved little at the national team level; Isco is the hero of Real Madrid's Champions League three consecutive times. He was also the tactical core of Spain at the World Cup in Russia, but in recent years he has been in a slump at the club and lost his position in the national team; Cork was the main national team player at last year's European Championships, but he was not a midfield organizer.

After them, fabian Luiz, Saul, Ceballos, Merino, Soler and others have entered the national team's sights, but now it seems that Pedrey Garvey Busquets, the all-Barca midfield combination will most likely become the main players of the Spanish team in the Qatar World Cup in a few months. Busquets has been a key player in the national team and Barca for more than a decade, was a small character around Xavi and Iniesta, and is now a veteran, Pedri and Garvey are reminiscent of Xavi and Iniesta in some ways, so can this be the beginning of a new renaissance in Spanish football?

In fact, the degree of "Barçaization" of this Spanish team may be the most significant after the championship division of that year, not only the combination of Pedri, Garvey and Busquets in the midfield, but also the defenders Eric Garcia and Alba, and the striker Ferran Torres is expected to be the main force in Enrique's tactical blueprint. Azpilicueta, whose contract with Chelsea is about to expire, is likely to wear Barca's red and blue shirt next season, and Henrique's other striker Olmo is also from Barca's youth.

In addition, Fati, Adama Traore and even Pique, who is rumored to have a possible return to the national team, are also potential options for Enrique. Compared with the beginning of Enrique's takeover, the Spanish team now has more players to choose from, and after Barca boldly launched new players such as Garvey and the introduction of internationals such as Ferran Torres and Eric Garcia, considering that the Qatar World Cup will be carried out during the season, this will undoubtedly help the Spanish team to better grind into the state of the game.

It is unfair to prematurely compare Pedri and Garvey with historical stars such as Harvey and Iniesta, but the young Pedri and Garvey do have superiority and are quite similar to their predecessors: the same small body but very tenacious style of play, the same skillful foot skills, Pedri's recent goal makes people see his inspiration on the offensive end, and Garvey's fast dribbling is an important weapon for the team to crack the dense defense, which will make the connection between the Spanish attack and defense more fluent. Enrique will strive to build a stronger Spanish team at the World Cup in Qatar than at last year's European Championships: a centre-back with good possession and shooting ability, a full-back who is good at assists, a midfielder with a quick transition between attack and defense and efficient handling of the ball, and an offensive line with a variety of offensive means.