• Football

'Selling Sanchez was a mistake'

ESPN staff
July 11, 2014
Hristo Stoichkov believes Alexis Sanchez is a "decisive player" © Getty Images
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Barcelona's directors have proved they "know nothing about football" by selling Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal, Hristo Stoichkov claims.

Chile forward Sanchez has move to the Emirates for a fee of around £30 million, with the move having been sanctioned by the Barca board as part of a general shake-up of the squad ahead of the new season after struggling under the now-departed Gerardo Martino.

"Because of those who do not understand football we must sell the best player we have at Barca," former player Stoichkov, who won five La Liga titles and the 1992 Champions League as a Barcelona player before a bitter departure after falling out with Louis Van Gaal during the 1997-98 campaign, is quoted as saying by AS.

"The policy of Barca was always like this, they do not like great players," Stoichkov added. "[Alexis] is the best player for his pace, his battling qualities. He fights for every ball, he plays for the team. I like his mentality. He is leaving with his head high. He is a decisive player."

Most fans and pundits around the Nou Camp have accepted the sale given Sanchez never quite settled in Spain during his three seasons at the club, and Barcelona are set to use the money raised to part finance the £75m move for Liverpool's Luis Suarez.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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