Comparisons with Xavi and Iniesta: Pep Guardiola wasn't the first world-class manager to praise Sheffield Wednesday Barry Bannan

Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan has opened up on the discussion he had with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola after the Spaniard had described him as an ‘incredible footballer’ following their FA Cup clash last month.
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But the former Barcelona coach was not the first world-class manager to single the Scot out for praise.

Bannan, now 30, has described how his career so far “could have been better”, maintaining his determination to forge a return to the Premier League.

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And asked whether a young Bannan had what it takes to make a name for himself in Premier League football, his then-manager at Aston Villa, Gerard Houllier said in 2010: “Yes, definitely.

“I had players at other clubs who were the same size and had wonderful careers. The top-level is about skill, intelligence and desire.

“He is an intelligent player, he can read the game well and adapt well. I don’t think Xavi and Iniesta, who are outstanding players, are of huge size. They are intelligent, they have the skill, they have the desire – young Barry has all of that.

“The Premier League has got more physical but it is not about a matter of size,” said Houllier, who won six trophies with Liverpool, four with Lyon and as a technical director was one of the silent architects of France’s 1998 World Cup win.

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“Obviously you need size in some positions but it’s also a matter of commitment and physical commitment. Barry is competitive. It’s a matter of getting into it. He has that.”

Sheffield Wednesday talisman Barry Bannan came through the ranks at Aston Villa and was compared to the likes of Xavi and Iniesta by then-boss Gerard Houllier.Sheffield Wednesday talisman Barry Bannan came through the ranks at Aston Villa and was compared to the likes of Xavi and Iniesta by then-boss Gerard Houllier.
Sheffield Wednesday talisman Barry Bannan came through the ranks at Aston Villa and was compared to the likes of Xavi and Iniesta by then-boss Gerard Houllier.

Speaking on Pep’s comments, Bannan told Sportsmail: “He actually stopped me as I was walking to the players’ lounge and spoke to me personally.

“He shook my hand and said: ‘Well done, you’re a fantastic footballer’.

“That was huge for me, coming from the best manager in the world.

“For him to say what he did was massive. He didn’t have to do it, he’s the manager of Manchester City.

“But it made me feel 10 feet tall and it gave me a massive confidence boost."