On numerous occasions, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has made it apparent that he is aware of the club's "entorno," or surrounding atmosphere, and that he is communicating this to his president, Joan Laporta. He stated last week that finding a successor for Sergio Busquets was their first priority in the transfer market, and he has once more requested that Barcelona provide him with one this week.
Busquets, 34, will play his final game at Camp Nou on Sunday against Real Mallorca, after 15 years of consistent play. Some claim he is the best in his field ever.
Prior to the Mallorca game, Xavi told Marca that Barcelona would find it difficult to compete with their opponents if no appropriate replacement could be found for Busquets.
"We must locate that component. Next year, we need to perform well, therefore we must locate that component. It is necessary to compete the next year.
He acknowledged that there had been Busquets' replacements in the past, but said there are now no alternatives.
Busquets has indeed been replaced. I recall that Toure Yaya, Oriol Romeu, and [Sergi] Samper had to go. Busquets's lack of injury is a result of our good fortune. I believe he has always played 45 or 46 of the 50 games. We must now go elsewhere for a replacement because we are unsure of the one we have at home.
Xavi may have implied that he was seeking someone a little different from Busquets in terms of what he was seeking.
"Whoever is more comprehensive or who makes the best pivot to take his place. We rely on honesty. The ideal candidate must be very decisive, natural, a frequent winner of duels, physically fit, tactically astute, and technically proficient.
Busquets may be an intimidating presence in the middle of the field, but he has never really stood out for his physical play, and perhaps Xavi is searching for a more aggressive replacement.
A change of cycle at Barcelona was also brought up, although Xavi believes it has already started.
"I w
ould already say that a new stage has started this year, but I don't sense a generational shift. Changes have been made by us or by natural evolution. Because Busquets lacks a natural replacement, we must make a top signing in this market.
Eight years after his departure, only Sergi Roberto and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are still with the team from Xavi's own time there. With only Robert Lewandowski, Roberto, and ter Stegen being over 30, it is undeniably a side that is lacking in experience.
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