The renewal of Busquets’ contract is one of the of most uncertain topics at FC Barcelona at this time. The central midfielder is a core player in Xavi’s setup, but his declining physical qualities are leading to questions about his continuity at the club.
Having made his debut in 2008, the same year when Pep Guardiola took the reins at the club, Busquets has been an undisputed starter in the team. All the different managers that Barcelona have appointed since that time had Busquets as one of the main pillars of the team, who was tasked with playing the pivot in the midfield, and controlling and dictating the game from that position.
However, Busquets has started showing signs of declining physicality in recent years. He suffers especially in games against teams that have a fast-paced, physical style of play, frequently being unable to provide sufficient cover against fast counters as well.
Still, his ability to read the game from the midfield, and dictate its tempo remains impeccable, which makes it so difficult for Barcelona to move on from their current captain. Reports earlier in the year indicated that Busquets would certainly leave the Catalan club at the end of the season, and join either a club in Saudi Arabia or in the MLS.
More recent reports claim that the club is more willing to let him stay for another season at the club, especially if he can significantly reduce his wages, as their ailing financial conditions do not allow for the signing of another high-profile midfielder.
New insights into the thinking prevalent at the club have now been provided by Alfredo Martínez. His report claims that Xavi is the only influential voice at the club who is asking for the renewal of Busquets, while the rest of the hierarchy is not so keen for such a possibility.
However, as already mentioned, the lack of other affordable options make Busquets the best-suited candidate for the pivot position, until another reliable player is bought or developed for this position.
