Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has named the player he hopescan ultimately replace Andres Iniesta as the club's 'Harry Potter', praising Denis Suarezafter the midfielder scored twice in Thursday night's5-2 Copa del Rey win over Real Sociedad.
Suarez netted a brace while while namesake Luis, Lionel Messi and Arda Turan also struck to secure Barcelona's qualification for the competition's semi-final stage. With Iniesta approaching his twilight years, Enrique claims Suarez can replace the legend as Barcelona's magician in midfield.
"He could be, why not?" Enrique said in his post-match press conference, as quoted byESPN, when asked whether Suarez could replace Iniesta in the long-term.
"Players have to evolve. He has to improve, but Iniesta is Harry Potter, he makes magic, and it's difficult to find another. But Denis is on the right path and I hope he can be [Iniesta's heir].
"The goals will boost his morale," the 46-year-old continued."He's been arriving in the area at the right time, but he's needed a little more efficiency, but he's shown that today with his finishes."
 Denis Suárez, the two goal hero of Barça's 5-2 win over Real Sociedad after the game: pic.twitter.com/H5ndDzYPQs
Suarez left the club in 2015 for Villarreal, having played for Barcelona B and Sevilla on loan, and returned during the summer of 2016 after impressing at the Yellow Submarine.
"Denis is the youngest player in the squad and one of the few players to leave Barca B and be able to return. That's because of taking care of the ball but also [because of] working hard off the ball, which some players forget about.
"You have the ball for a minute or a minute and a half in the game, so if you don't do well without it, you have no chance at this level. Denis understands that and he's well-loved by his teammates."
FC Barcelona MF Denis Suárez says he and Messi share ˜special connection'
Full story & more post game reactions: https://t.co/dcnyO5mxcx pic.twitter.com/Cw6B2ZWwG2