When asked to describe his new acquisition, Txiki Begiristain had no doubt that “he is top class, has a good physique and plenty of skill”.

当被问道如何评价他的最新引援时，贝基里斯坦确定的说：“他绝对是世界级的，身体和技术都很出色。”

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However Barcelona technical secretary Txiki Begiristain suggested the European champions have already been disadvantaged.

BBC: Europa League semi-finals given provisional go-ahead

Last August, the Manchester club appointed former Barcelona board member Ferran Soriano as their new chief executive, while in October City appointed former Barcelona technical director Txiki Begiristain as their director of football.

CNN: Manchester City dismiss Roberto Mancini

City boss Roberto Mancini's contract runs until 2017, though there has been speculation surrounding the Italian's future following the appointment of former Barcelona vice president Ferran Soriano as the English champions' chief executive, who took up his new role in September, and the arrival of former Barcelona technical director Txiki Begiristain as director of football at the Etihad Stadium in October.

CNN: January 16, 2013 -- Updated 1558 GMT (2358 HKT)