5 midfielders who can replace Andres Iniesta at Barcelona

Andres Iniesta is one of the greatest players of all time and is just the kind of player any manager would love to have in his ranks. The midfield maestro has been the mainstay of Barcelona and Spain's golden generation and is a true ambassador of the game.

He has been at Barcelona throughout his career having joined the club's youth setup way back in 1996. The Barcelona skipper made his senior team debut in 2002 under Louis van Gaal and has since made 646 appearances, a number only bettered by Xavi. He also has 30 trophies to his name including 4 UCL titles and has been included in the FIFPro World 11 for 9 consecutive years.

Iniesta has been a selfless servant for Barcelona over the years, and recently signed a "contract for life" which will keep him at the club for the rest of his playing career, and still be associated with the club in non-playing capacity post-retirement, but he will be 34 by the time next season starts and Barcelona are looking at suitable successors for the club legend. Here we take a look at 5 players who could replace him at Barcelona.

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#5 Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho is a long term target for Barcelona

Philippe Coutinho was subject of intense transfer speculation over the summer and it is unlikely we have seen the end of it. He is Barcelona's priority target to replace Iniesta and they went all out for him only to be rebuffed by Liverpool time and again.

The Brazilian international joined Liverpool from Inter in 2013 and has since grown into a key figure at the club. He was magnificent for the Reds last season and his performances helped Jurgen Klopp's men finish in the top 4. His dribbling, passing and vision suit Barcelona's style of play while his 47 goals in 192 appearances for Liverpool indicate he also has an eye for goal. His play in the attacking third is admirable and he also has a 81% pass success rate this season, a key requirement for a Barcelona midfielder.

He had his heart set on a move past summer but Liverpool have turned out to be difficult negotiators for Barcelona in the past as well, but if he continues to perform the way he has been, his dream move could soon be a reality.

#4 Christian Eriksen

Christian Eriksen has grown into a world-class midfielder for Spurs

Christian Eriksen is a silent performer in the mould of Andres Iniesta. He continues doing his job exceedingly well while star players Dele Alli and Harry Kane earn much of the plaudits.

The creative midfielder joined Tottenham from Ajax in 2013 and has become a vital cog in their lineup.He already has 4 goals and 3 assists in 17 appearances for Spurs this season and is one of the first names in Mauricio Pochettino's team list. He has a pass success rate of 81.2% this season while averaging 2.3 key passes per game. His vision and composure on the ball, to go with his passing ability make him one of the best central midfielders in the world at the moment.

The Dane is just 25 years old and his best years lie ahead of him. He has, in the past, also admitted that an offer from Barcelona could be tempting and if Barcelona decide to sign him, they will have secured a great like to like replacement for Iniesta.

#3 Thiago Alcántara

Will he return to his boyhood club?

Thiago Alcántara joined Bayern Munich from Barcelona in the summer of 2013 due to the lack of first-team opportunities. Once considered to be the next big thing, his exit left Cules disappointed. His move cost Bayern just €25 million, a bargain considering how brilliant he has been for the German club.

He, just like Iniesta, is a technically gifted playmaker, with exceptional dribbling and passing skills and can operate as a central or an attacking midfielder. An average pass success rate of 90.7% in 15 games this season with his 1.6 key passes per game showing he is a true Barcelona style midfielder.

The 26-year old Spanish international is just the kind of player the Catalan club would want to replace Andres Iniesta with and he has hinted that he could consider moving back to Spain, but Bayern would demand a substantial fee for a player who still has over 3 years left on his contract.

#2 Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne could be an ideal replacement for Andres Iniesta

Kevin De Bruyne joined Manchester City from Wolfsburg in 2015 for £55 million has since become one of the most important players for the club.

De Bruyne has arguably been the best player in the Premier League this season with his consistent remarkable performances against quality oppositions. He already has 9 assists in 18 games this season while also finding the back of the net himself 4 times. His passing, crossing and vision are exemplary reflected from his 84.5% pass rate success, 1.8 average crosses and 2.4 key passes per game while he doesn't shy away from taking a long range shot either. He is just 26 and his best years lie ahead of him.

His style of play will add a new dimension to the Barcelona midfield but it would be quite challenging to tempt him from a rival Champions League club when he is playing so well. But a fresh challenge and an opportunity to play with the best player in the world could persuade him.

#1 Isco

Barcelona have long been admirers of the Madrid midfielder

Isco is one of the best players in the Real Madrid lineup but has seen his opportunities limited over the past few seasons, yet he has showcased his talent as and when the opportunity arose. This season though, with the continued absence of Gareth Bale and departure of James Rodriguez, have helped his game time and he has been outstanding. His performance for Spain against Italy in the World Cup qualifiers was extraordinary and was one such night where he didn't put a foot wrong.

Isco joined Real Madrid from Malaga in 2013 and has since made 210 appearances for the club. Isco has a great technique and a good range of passing combined with great vision. He is also an effortless dribbler and has 4 goals and 3 assists in 17 games this season. His pass success rate of 88.5% in 17 games this season show just how good he is on the ball.

This transfer is highly unlikely but if Barcelona could manage to sign him from their arch-rivals, offering him the chance to be an undisputed starter for them in the middle of the park, it could turn out to be the coup of the century and would wipe away all the bad memories Barcelona supporters have from Luis Figo's departure.