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Barcelona injuries: 5 replacements for Sergio Busquets

By Harry De Cosemo

July 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy defender Leonardo (22) controls the ball against Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic (4) and midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
July 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy defender Leonardo (22) controls the ball against Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic (4) and midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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BARCELONA, SPAIN – DECEMBER 21: Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot his team’s second goal during the Copa del Rey round of 32 second leg match between FC Barcelona and Hercules at Camp Nou on December 21, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – DECEMBER 21: Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot his team’s second goal during the Copa del Rey round of 32 second leg match between FC Barcelona and Hercules at Camp Nou on December 21, 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /

2. Ivan Rakitic

A more likely option, given that the Croatian was the man who filled Busquets’ role, and well, against Eibar.

Much like Denis, Rakitic needs a break at the Camp Nou, but for very different reasons. In his first season after joining from Sevilla, 2014/15, he was a vital part of the squad, something proved by scoring the first goal in that season’s 3-1 win over Juventus in the Champions League final.

He carried that form into last season and it was widely regarded that the trio of him, Busquets and Andres Iniesta was the best midfield in the world, especially after seeing off Juve’s Paul Pogba, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal in that final in Berlin. A 2-1 defeat at home to Real Madrid in El Clasico in April 2016 was the first game Barcelona had lost with them in midfield.

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It said a lot about the attacking trident of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar and how good they are that few people gave Rakitic et al much credit. Unfortunately for him, he has lost his form and subsequently his regular place.

Interest from Pep Guardiola at Manchester City has been reported and, as has proven in the past when previous players found themselves in a similar situation, a transfer could be best for him. But a run in the side, albeit in a different role, could be the perfect opportunity for resurrection. His talent and ability to fit in the team cannot be questioned.

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