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Barcelona legend Xavi has hailed Jack Wilshere as “the future of English football”.

The Spain World Cup winner reckons Arsenal midfielder Wilshere can still go on to become one of the best players in Europe.

All-time great Xavi faced Wilshere in the Champions League and says injuries are the only reason he has not fulfilled his potential.

“If he had a career that had been injury-free we would already be talking about him as one of the top central midfield players in Europe,” said 35-year-old Xavi.

“I have played against him, I have watched him carefully, and if he can overcome injuries, then he can still go on an be one of the best midfield players in the world.

(Image: Shaun Botterill)

“With all respect, he doesn’t play the English way.

“He has an excellent passing range, an ability not to lose the ball, it is clear that he has had his education at Arsenal.

“For many years now the one position England have not struggled with is world-class midfield players. Scholes, and then more recently Lampard and Gerrard.

“Now I see Wilshere as the future of English football, that is why it is so important they keep him fit.”

Spain face England in a friendly in Alicante on Friday night and Wilshere is one of their many missing players.

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But Xavi, who joined Al Sadd in the Middle East after retiring from international football following last year’s World Cup, believes England can improve for next year’s Euros.

He said: “England have so much pace with Walcott and Sterling, that with the vision of Wilshere’s passing they can cause all teams a lot of problems, that’s how I see them setting up most effectively.

“Yes, the game is a friendly, but with it being so close to the European Championship every game is so important now.

“The coaches need to decide on their best team and formation, and the players don’t have many chances left now to fight for a place in the team.”