Barcelona veteran Sergio Busquets has had a wonderful career at the Nou Camp. He’s won every trophy and he’s arguably earned the title of being the greatest defensive midfielder of all time. However, it looks like his days have come to end and it is time to move on. He’s a veteran for FC Barcelona and Spain and his service for them will never be forgotten.
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Busquets is one of Pep Guardiola’s greatest discoveries and students from the La Masia. He was the key to Xavi and Andres Iniesta functioning so well. The only reason those two midfielders had all the freedom to move forward and try their confident link-up and risky passing was the ever-present Sergio Busquets covering them.
If there is a player one would pick to make 100 successful passes out of 100 attempts, one would definitely pick Busquets. Such an exquisite passer of the ball, he hardly misses a pass or loses the ball in midfield. Masterful at passing and controlling the game, extremely quick and alert to shut down opposition build-up or attacks. A complete defensive midfielder overall.
This article is about the replacement of the veteran Spaniard but in all fairness, there will be no proper replacement for him. His type of player comes along maybe once in a generation- he’s irreplaceable. However, Barcelona have to move on for the better and find a player who can even try to match the standards of the Spanish stalwart.
Here is a list of 5 players that could replace Busquets at Barcelona:
#1 Manuel Locatelli (Club: U.S. Sassuolo Calcio | Age: 23)
The Italian midfielder can be one of the best replacements in the current market. He would also perfectly fit the style at Barcelona. The 23-year-old has received a lot of attention and fame over the last year because of his absolutely wonderful performances with Sassuolo and Italy. One of the main reasons for his current positive media attention is his performances with Roberto Mancini’s Italy. They have had a massive run before the UEFA Euros and they go into the Euros as very strong contenders.
The young defensive midfielder is extremely good at reading and judging the game. His passing is exquisite and his movement to create space and to receive the ball and to move the ball is extremely mature and brilliant for his age. One would not consider him world-class because of his young age but he is already playing like one of the best in the world. Extremely brilliant at stopping counterattacks and very quick to disrupt opposition counter-attacks. Locatelli will be under watch at the Euros with Italy and there will be a lot of expectations from the player.
Europe is extremely diverse when it comes to different types of footballers and Locatelli is Italian through and through, he’d be a fantastic addition to this Barcelona squad as a replacement for Sergio Busquets.
#2 Eduardo Camavinga (Club: Stade Rennais F.C. | Age: 18)
French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is yet another top prospect that is coming up to receive a lot of attention and fame. It’s all justified given the youngster is super talented and is definitely going to be a superstar in the future if he maintains his game. He’s been playing for Stade de Rennes since 2018 and has caught the notice of many big clubs all across Europe.
Camavinga would be one of the perfect replacements for Busquets. He’s calm and collected in midfield and he’s extremely smart. His overall gameplay is very clever compared to other players his age, which is what makes him excel so well at such a young age. He’s absolutely brilliant at moving the ball around just like Busquets.
He can be the key to yet another brilliant midfield trio at Barcelona in the future. He is extremely good at controlling the tempo of the game. The Frenchman is also diverse as a footballer. While he’s a defensive player and can play as a central defensive midfielder, he is also capable of playing as a CM and the role of a double pivot.
The Rennes man is capable of brilliant passing. His work rate is out of this world which means he can catch up to counter attacks and disrupt opposition build-up in order to regain possession. He is also brilliant at committing tactical fouls which was a huge part of Busquets’ game at Barcelona during his prime.
Camavinga will be a huge addition to this Barcelona squad if they are looking for talented youngsters in order to build a secure future.
#3 Mikel Merino (Club: Real Sociedad | Age: 24)
The 24-year-old midfielder has been a massive player for Real Sociedad for quite a while now. He’s an ideal midfielder for a team that requires a constant work rate. Barcelona could do with some work rate as of now. Especially in the UEFA Champions League where they have failed to deliver in the recent past.
Merino has got experience in La Liga, unlike Manuel Locatelli and Eduardo Camavinga, thus he understands the Spanish game and his experience in the league will be a massive factor if he were to be picked up by Barcelona. He’d be an ideal replacement due to the defensive work mainly. While he is good at passing and progressing the ball, he is also very efficient, extremely concentrated, and focused throughout the game. His positioning on the pitch is brilliant, it’s his judgment before a move from the opponent takes place which guides him to be in the correct position beforehand in order to make a tackle or disrupt an opposition counter-attack.
He’s brilliant at making the opposition uncomfortable with his pressing. Merino finished very well this season with Sociedad and the team had one of the best seasons in a very long time this season.
Merino would be yet another ideal replacement for the 32-year-old, especially given the fact that he already has a lot of experience in La Liga. He’s currently 24 so he’s got more experience than the aforementioned youngsters who haven’t exactly been around for very long. Also, Merino will not be an expensive buy either like the youngsters as he is not being hunted down by top European sides.
#4 Fabian Ruiz (Club: S.S.C. Napoli | Age: 25)
The Spaniard has been a well-established defensive footballer for Napoli for a very long time now. He’s currently 25 years old and the defensive midfielder would be an ideal signing for Barcelona as of now because they will be receiving a ready-made, well-established footballer. He is not a young prospect that will need development and coaching in order to get better. Fabian Ruiz would be the most ideal signing as of now.
Ruiz has shown his class with Napoli over the years. A perfect example of a Spaniard thriving in the Italian game. He’s extremely brilliant when it comes to defending in the midfield and stopping attacks. His passing may not be as good as Sergio Busquets or the aforementioned options but he certainly knows how to get his hands dirty and play for the team. He is more of a defensive player than a playmaker.
Busquets also had playmaking abilities from midfield. As for Fabian Ruiz, he’d be an ideal replacement because Barcelona need to do well in Europe. Ruiz is the perfect defensive midfielder to have on your side if one needs to win uncomfortable European games and knockout ties.
He is usually all over the pitch with his brilliant work rate and he’s extremely good at covering players. A midfield can feel secure having him around. He’d be a complete fit at Barcelona; they’ll be extremely lucky to have landed a player like him.
#5 Marcelo Brozovic (Club: Inter Milan | Age: 28)
The Croatian footballer may not be the perfect replacement for Busquets when it comes to solving long-term issues but he would definitely be an ideal replacement for him when it comes to short-term issues. Marcelo Brozovic is currently 28 years old which means for a defensive midfielder he is just entering his peak years. He would be an ideal short-term signing if Barcelona are looking to switch things up and make a difference in the upcoming seasons.
Brozovic has been absolutely brilliant for Inter Milan. The Croatian footballer has been one of the most important players for the Nerazzurri. He is one of those players who is going to win the ball by hook or crook. There is nothing artistic about the player that one would usually find in Busquets or any Spanish or Italian midfielder. He is similar to the likes of Casemiro or Fernandinho. They mean business. They are going to put in work rate and win the ball back for the team by any means.
The 28-year-old defensive midfielder would be the most ideal man for Barcelona if they want to make a difference in the knockout competitions where they usually suffer. He is good at passing the ball too, extremely efficient and effective at whatever he does. He’s been a massive figure for Inter Milan and if Barcelona were to sign him it would be the most perfect situation as of now. He’s ready-made and entering his prime. He will need no time to settle in any country or any league, given that he doesn’t really need a system to thrive, his job is to simply put in work rate and win the ball back for the team.
Not the most ideal replacement for Busquets when it comes to matching the player profiles but that the man is simply irreplaceable. Barcelona just have to find a player to do what’s right for the team.
Sergio Busquets was special and one of Pep Guardiola’s greatest ever creations; from the very bottom he made it to the best in the world in his position.
Which of these players do you want as Sergio’s successor?