There was always one out on the luscious grass of Barcelona's Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper before the rest. Without fail, Xavi would be there early before each training session. Juggling a ball, little feints and Cruyff turns alone while waiting for his team-mates to saunter out.
Players joined in dribs and drabs. The ball started to zip about between Xavi and whoever might be next, then another and another. Passes became quicker. The morning's tempo was set. That always started with Xavi, every single day. A man after Pep Guardiola's heart.
Guardiola has noticed the exact same trait in a young man at Manchester City.