Former Barcelona striker Hristo Stoichkov has joined the debate over whether Luis Suarez should play in El Clasico on October 25.
Suarez is available for the game at the Santiago Bernabeu as his four-month ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in this summer’s World Cup expires the previous day.
Nonetheless, Stoichkov feels the Uruguayan could form a potentially lethal front three with Lionel Messi and Neymar.
“If it was up to me then I would choose Suarez in my starting XI, yet there also has to be a certain amount of calmness because it’s not easy,” said the Bulgarian in an interview with Esports COPE.
“I think he will be on the pitch, although I don’t know if he will start. However, I’m sure he’ll play a part to show he has a lot of bite and the heart for Barcelona.”
Stoichkov also feels Barca boss Luis Enrique has the necessary qualities to handle the personalities and egos associated with three of the world’s best players.
“They’ll play just like Laudrup, Stoichkov and Romario did…it’s not difficult for them all to play together and Luis has many options.
“With Suarez he is a much better forward when he comes in from the right or the left, so I don’t think there will be a problem.
“They all have to be calm and focused. Luis Enrique knows how to handle them,” asserted Stoichkov, who had two spells with the Blaugrana lasting seven years.
In addition, he professed his delight at Suarez sharing the Golden Shoe award for last season with Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as the courage the Catalans showed in signing him this summer.
“The club made a great effort to sign him so I’m delighted for Luis to win this award, because scoring goals is harder than kicking balls off the field or being defensive.
“Hopefully, he’ll settle in quickly at Barca and what happened at the World Cup will be history. I hope he wins the same number of titles as I did.”
Finally, Stoichkov referred to a possible tribute at the Bernabeu for Lionel Messi if he breaks Telmo Zarra’s La Liga scoring record.
“I’d like Messi to get two against Eibar and a third to surpass Zarra at the Bernabeu.
“Why can’t the Bernabeu applaud something historic and one of the greats?” he asked.
