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It is safe to say that Sergio Busquets has become a reference point for defensive midfielders. Not much was expected when Pep Guardiola unleashed the then 17-year-old in the 2008/09 season
The midfield star has redefined the defensive midfielder's role from that of being a destroyer to something more nuanced.
His well-timed passing, tackling, intelligence and quick use of the ball has helped Barcelona and Spain to get out of many dicey situations and also helped start attacks. Busquets has been at the heart of everything good that Barca and La Furia Roja have done in the last 10 years.
He recently signed an extension to stay at the Camp Nou till 2021. However, not even Busquets is immortal and at a point, he will slow down and retire.
Here is a look at 5 potential replacements that could step into his rather large shoes when he finally decides to hang up his boots:
#5 Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
The Nigerian international is a player whose quality has flown under the radar. He is an intelligent tackler whose long legs help him get around the pitch to either snuff out fires or start counterattacks. Ndidi has shown enough to suggest he can do a good job replacing the La Furia Roja legend.
Due to his Nigerian ancestry, he is wrongly seen as just possessing brawn and physicality. Given the system at Leicester (which emphasizes quick play to the wingers), Ndidi's passing abilities have not come to the fore too much.
However, keen eyes will have noted how his intelligence and passing have helped the Foxes defend well and counter effectively. The 21-year-old’s intelligent shielding of the ball and ability to use simple passes to move the ball forward will not look out of place at the Camp Nou.
His quality has been integral to Leicester’s transition to a more possession-based style under manager Claude Puel. Vicente Iborra, Nampalys Mendy, and Andre Silva have failed to deliver the much-needed control and creativity in the Foxes’ midfield.
Ndidi has gamely stepped in to fill this gap while not ignoring his defensive duties. Leicester will be loath to lose such a valued member so Barca will have to pay a princely sum to get their man.
#4 Marc Roca (Espanyol)
A native-born Catalan just like Busquets, the arrival of the youngster on the scene has got people paying attention.
Espanyol's academy hasn't been especially prolific in recent years. However, in Roca, they could have a new jewel at the RCDE Stadium.
Tall and rangy like Busquets, Roca is a left-footer who has shown an understanding of the game beyond his years. He is a decent tackler as well and has been very good this season sitting at the base of Espanyol's midfield.
Such is the faith that Espanyol’s new manager, Rubi has in the midfielder. At such a young age, he has been given the responsibility to piece together the team’s build-up just in front of the centrebacks. This he has done brilliantly thanks to his Busquets-like calmness and composure on the ball.
This has allowed Sergi Darder the freedom to play further forward and look to make things happen in the opposition’s half. Roca still has a long way to go before he can be anywhere near Busquets' level. However, he has time on his hands and will get better.
#3 Tanguy Ndombele Alvaro (Olympique Lyonnais)
If he continues to develop at the current rate, Ndombele is going to rival Paul Pogba for a starting berth in the French national team.
He was one of the standout talents in Ligue 1 last season on loan at Lyon from Amiens. Such was his performance that Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas thought it expedient to quickly pay the €8m needed to make his transfer permanent.
He has shown the full range of his abilities at the base of the midfield as the holding midfielder in a side that is geared towards high-octane attacking football. Combative and tough tackling, he is also excellent at passing and starting attacks in the final third.
Despite the presence of fellow youngster Lucas Tousart in the team, Ndombele is usually tasked with helping the team control matches by winning the ball in deep positions and driving forward. His quality passing can be seen from the fact that he already has 4 assists from a deep-lying midfield a.k.a regista role this season
Like Busquets, he could help Barca in breaking up opposing attacks. He is not at the Spaniard’s level yet in terms of in-game management or having an eye for an opening. These are aspects of his game that should get better at as he continues to mature.
#2 Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund)
The brilliant young German has not had a fantastic time in about 2 seasons. However, his talent is not in doubt. Playing with the sort of intelligence expected from much older midfielders, Weigl is brilliant at both the offensive and defensive sides of the game.
Under Peter Bosz, he played as the deepest member of a midfield triangle. It was his responsibility to initiate build-ups by using simple passes to draw pressure from the opposition. More often than not, it is he who was tasked with receiving the ball from the centre-backs and starting attacks.
In situations where the intention is to quickly counter, Dortmund has relied on Weigl’s quick thinking and long-range passes to free up the wingers or overlapping full-backs. Like Busquets, he is very good at knowing when to carry the ball forward into the opposition’s half and when to stay back.
His cleverness in recycling the ball and intelligence in drawing out opposing midfielders helps create space for the more forward-going players.
Like Busquets, he is a very good tackler and is getting better at winning aerial duels. He still has a long way to go before he can even be compared to Busi but he has the tools to become a great option for the Liga giants.
#1 Rodrigo (Atletico Madrid)
Already been mooted as Busquets’ replacement at the national level, there is no reason why Rodri cannot replace the Catalan genius at club level as well.
The breakout star in La Liga last season, he was an outstanding player (alongside Pablo Fornals) in a youthful Villarreal side. Rodri has blossomed into an outstanding central midfielder. Playing at the base of the midfield, the youngster averaged an astounding tackle rate of 2.7 per game last season.
This pushed Atletico Madrid to get the player back (he was a cantera product who was let go for ironically being too small). A fee of €18m was paid to El Submarino Amarillo for his services.
Lining up as long-term captain, Gabi’s replacement, Rodri has been ever-present in Diego Simeone’s team this season. He has taken his place as the deepest midfielder allowing Koke and Saul Niguez license to get further up the pitch to join the attack.
He is probably the closest to a Busquets clone that currently exists in world football. Atleti will put up a huge fight to keep the talented youngster. If Barca can agree on a deal, they could potentially be getting a like-for-like replacement of one of the club’s most important players in a very long time.
