In a BBC interview, Xavi namechecked former England stars John Barnes, Paul Gascoigne, Matt Le Tissier, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and John Terry.
ในการให้สัมภาษณ์กับ BBC ชาบี้ลิสต์ชื่อนักเตะอังกฤษ อย่าง จอห์น บาร์นส์ เก่ากึ๊ก ที่สำคัญมีบักเจิดที่ บรรดาเซียน SS บอกไว้ว่ากาก กระจอกสุดๆ อยู่ในลิสต์นี้ด้วย แม่เจ้า บักเจิดติดด้วย
From the current crop, Xavi highlighted Jack Wilshere and Raheem Sterling - but there was no mention of Scholes, on whom he had previously lavished praise.
He said: "I would have in my team any top technically-gifted player. John Barnes was one, Paul Gascoigne another. Gerrard could have played for Barcelona, as could Lampard. They're players with top-quality technique. Here we prioritise technique over the physical aspect of the game. So a lot of English players could play for Barcelona.
Asked by BBC's Match of the Day Kickabout which British players he idolised as a youngster, Xavi said: "I remember John Barnes, Paul Gascoigne and Matt Le Tissier. We used to watch a lot of English football. They used to show highlights and Le Tissier scored some spectacular goals."
Quizzed on his favourite current English player, Xavi replied: "It's difficult, there is a lot of talent out there and I think Jack Wilshire is an amazing player, very good. Raheem Sterling has a great future ahead of him. Then there's the older guys such as Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and John Terry. They're part of English history, winning every single title."
The Premier League is a very attractive. Liverpool, for example, is a team that has something special - the stadium, the fans, everything. But I always prioritise Barcelona - it's my life, it's my world.
อันนี้พูดถึงลิเวอร์พูลอีกละ ข้ามๆ
"I am lucky and wouldn't change it for anything. Matt Le Tissier never left Southampton, so I think it was a good thing for him, however nowadays there are few cases of this. But I have had the luck of being with Barcelona for so many years."
He also said Lionel Messi - winner of four Ballon d'Ors and widely seen as one of the greatest players ever - would have been even better in the Premier League.
Has English football suffered because it embraces a different footballing culture?
และคำตอบในวันนั้น คำตอบจริงๆที่เขาตอบ
It has changed; the style's a bit more technical. But before it was direct, it was about the second ball, the typical No9 was a Crouch or a Heskey and there was no football. Carragher, boom, up top; Terry, boom, up top. I think it's changing: Barry, Lampard, Gerrard, Carrick … they are players who treat the ball well. You see them now and think, Christ, they are trying to play.
[Xavi interrupts, almost bursting with enthusiasm] Paul Scholes! A role model. For me – and I really mean this – he's the best central midfielder I've seen in the last 15, 20 years. I've spoken to Xabi Alonso about him. He's spectacular, he has it all: the last pass, goals, he's strong, he doesn't lose the ball, vision. If he'd been Spanish he might have been rated more highly. Players love him.