Barcelona’s 'shouldn't have sold' XI

Midfield

Sanchez never really settled at Barca

Luis Figo

Luis Figo switched Barcelona for Real Madrid in 2000 for a fee of £37 million. He was arguably the best midfielder in the world at the time and moved to Real Madrid at the peak of his career. After making 172 La Liga appearances for the Catalan giants, Figo switched allegiance in 2000, aged 27.

Known for his passing, vision, dribbling, crosses, and set piece abilities, Figo went on to win two La Liga titles and one UEFA Champions League title with the Galacticos. Florentino Perez masterminded the deal and Figo later said, “Barça weren't treating me properly – it was too late when they did, so I joined Real Madrid"

Alexis Sanchez

The Chilean was deemed surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou when Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, and Neymar joined the club. He had 3 good seasons with Barcelona where he scored 39 goals in 88 La Liga appearances. However, Barcelona sold him to Arsenal in 2014.

Alexis Sanchez was a great hit at the Emirates where he scored 60 goals in 122 Premier League appearances. Known for his pace, stamina, strength, creativity, and versatility, the Chilean has become one of the best midfielders in the world under the stewardship of Arsene Wenger. A big mistake by Pep Guardiola.

Thiago Alcantara

Thiago graduated from Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy before making his senior debut in 2009. His first team chances were reduced because of the presence of Andres Iniesta, Pedro, Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fàbregas. He joined the German giants Bayern Munich in the summer of 2013 for a fee of £17.3 million.

Thiago is a technically gifted playmaker with excellent ball control and dribbling abilities. He is absolutely brilliant in possession and accurate with his passing. Though Barcelona wanted him to stay, the departure of Pep Guardiola made his decision to leave Barcelona an easy one. He is now an integral part of the Bayern team and a world-class player.

Yaya Toure

Since switching Barcelona for Manchester City in 2010 for a reported fee of €30 million (£24.6m), Yaya Toure has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world. A typical box-to-box midfielder, Toure is known for his ability to convert defence into attack. His pace, physical presence, and marauding attacking runs are phenomenal.

Deteriorated relationship with Pep Guardiola was the primary reason for his departure. Toure told ONA FM, “Whenever I asked Pep something, he always gave strange answers. He pretty much ignored me until City's offer came in. That's why I eventually opted to leave. I didn't speak to Guardiola for a year. "If he had talked to me, I would have stayed at Barcelona.”

Honorable Mention: Mark Van Bommel