Ex-Everton star believes Baines would have fit in at Barcelona

Leighton Baines has been a crucial player for Everton over the years

Former Everton star believes Leighton Baines would have fit in at Barcelona

Former Everton star Pat Nevin believes Leighton Baines would have fit in at Barcelona as he ranked his best ever Premier League 11.

The left-back moved to Goodison Park from Wigan in the summer of 2007 and fought his way into the side with a string of fantastic performances - establishing himself as one of the best in his position for a long period of time.

His creativity, goals and defensive ability down the left flank have been crucial to Everton over the years and he still finds himself an important member of the squad as he enters the last few months of his current contract, despite primarily being back-up to Lucas Digne.

However, in picking what he thinks is his best ever Premier League 11, Nevin was keen to place Baines in the conversation.

The former winger eventually chose Stuart Pearce to fill the place in his side, but not before handing the Everton defender some big praise.

He told Off The Ball: "The reason I throw Baines in there - [he has] the free kicks, the intelligence of movement and understanding. He nodded at something that was coming.

"Baines would play for Barcelona with his style, that's fine. Because he can play that style, the one-twos and the tika-taka, he'd be comfortable in that as well.

"I would have been very happy with him doing that.

"To be honest, on the right hand side, Coleman gets a shout as well because he was just about on the same level. These people shouldn't be ignored."

Baines is coming to the end of his current contract with the club having signed a one-year deal with Everton last summer.

The defender has made five Premier League appearances this term, and scored one League Cup goal with a rocket against Leicester City.