LaLiga: Barcelona manager, Valverde speaks on replacing Busquets

[ad_1]

Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde, has admitted it would be difficult to replace Sergio Busquets against Athletic Bilbao this weekend, hailing the midfielder as “the best in the world” at what he does.

Busquets, 29, broke a bone in his foot in the Champions League win against Chelsea on Wednesday and will be sidelined for the next three weeks.

He is one of five players missing for Athletic’s visit to Camp Nou on Sunday. Thomas Vermaelen, Nelson Semedo and Denis Suarez are also out due to injury and Luis Suarez is suspended.

Valverde has called up the Barca midfielder, Carles Alena, who he said has a “very big future” at the club.

“It’s always bad to lose players of [Busquets’] calibre.

“Busquets is fundamental for the team. He is the best player in the world in his position, so it’s not easy to replace him, but there are alternatives — [Ivan] Rakitic has played that role very well.

“Rakitic is having an extraordinary season. Maybe his role isn’t as attacking as it was at Sevilla, but players do move around. They don’t always stay in the same position. Rakitic is a very important player for us,” Valverde told a press conference on Saturday.



[ad_2]

Source link

More News

President Buhari to Embark on Eight-Day Visit to Saudi Arabia, Perform Umrah

On Tuesday morning, President Muhammadu Buhari will begin an eight-day state visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to perform...

Senator-Elect Yar’Adua Commits to Delivering Change for Katsina Central District

Senator-elect Abdul’aziz Yar’Adua of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Katsina Central Senatorial District has vowed to deliver on his campaign promises to the...

Police Arrest Suspect in Brutal Killing of Pregnant Girlfriend in Kano

The Kano State Police Command has arrested Philibus Ibrahim, who allegedly strangled his pregnant girlfriend, 22-year-old Theresa Yakubu, in Tudun Wada Local Government Area...

2023 Polls: Group warns Governor Matawalle over inciting comments, blaming Nigerian military

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER), a Civil Society Organisation, has accused Governor Bello Matawalle of displaying undemocratic tendencies following his...