There was always going to come a time when the majority of Barca’s ‘old guard’ were no longer first choice in their respective positions.
That it is Xavi who has relegated his former team-mates Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto to the bench shouldn’t really be seen as a surprise.
It shows the strength of character that’s needed to become a success in the position, and a former player of such standing is unlikely to be questioned over his selections, certainly not in the early stages of the campaign at least.
Moreover, the starting XI against Valladolid was very much Xavi’s own, both in personnel terms and style of play, and the incessant attacking of the opening half-hour was as good as we’ve seen from a Barca side for some while.