Chris Coleman: Aaron Ramsey is good enough to play for Barcelona

Updated 28/05/2015 at 10:32 GMT

Wales manager Chris Coleman believes Aaron Ramsey is good enough to play for Barcelona after the Arsenal midfielder was linked with a move to Spain.

Aaron Ramsey celebrates after scoring for Wales against Israel

Image credit: Reuters

The 24-year-old is rumoured to be a target for the Liga champions and Coleman does not believe such a move is beyond him.

"Barca signed (Ivan) Rakitic from Sevilla last year. Some people were scoffing at that, but he's a good player, and if Barca are looking at 'Rambo' then it's for a reason," said Coleman.

World Cup

Of course it's Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal – The Warm-Up

29/11/2022 at 06:45

"He's already playing for Arsenal, who play a similar style.

"He's playing at the top of the Premier League and Champions League every season... at his best is he good enough for Barcelona? Yes he is, at his best."

Aaron Ramsey

Image credit: Imago

Coleman also added his thoughts to the debate about Ramsey's best position, with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger playing him on the right wing in recent weeks in the absence of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

'In my opinion, he does all his best work for Wales in the centre,' Coleman said.

'Offensively, he starts in the centre, but he is a player who goes everywhere. He can end up wide. But it is different when you haven't got the ball. As a wide player, the job is different.

"Yes, I can understand his (Ramsey's) frustrations, but I can also understand why Wenger may play him out there.

Aaron Ramsey celebrates after scoring from a right-wing role against Hull City

Image credit: Reuters

"If you look at his physical statistics, he does the most high-intensity running because his engine is incredible.

"So he can do the miles, he can get forward and back, so I can see why Wenger has maybe done that.

"I can see it from both sides. But for us, I wouldn't (play him wide) unless I really absolutely had to."

Ramsey is expected to start in Saturday's FA Cup final between Arsenal and Aston Villa, although whether that will be in a central or wide role is still not clear.

Hat den FC Arsenal zum FA-Cup-Sieg geschossen: Aaron Ramsey.

Image credit: Getty Images

Either way, he will be hoping for a repeat of last season's showpiece against Hull, when he scored Arsenal's winner in extra-time as they recovered from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

World Cup

Bale denies England clash at World Cup will be his last for Wales

28/11/2022 at 17:23

World Cup

Allen backs Wales stars Bale and Ramsey to silence critics against England

27/11/2022 at 16:49

Transfers

Ramsey joins Nice on a free transfer, signs a three-year contract

01/08/2022 at 20:34

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me