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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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SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – JANUARY 19: Andre Gomes of FC Barcelona duels for the ball with Raul Rodriguez Navas of Real Sociedad during the Copa del Rey Quarter Final, First Leg match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and FC Barcelona at Estadio Anoeta on January 19, 2017 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – JANUARY 19: Andre Gomes of FC Barcelona duels for the ball with Raul Rodriguez Navas of Real Sociedad during the Copa del Rey Quarter Final, First Leg match between Real Sociedad de Futbol and FC Barcelona at Estadio Anoeta on January 19, 2017 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /

4. Andre Gomes

On the other hand, Luis Enrique could look for a more risky choice, by abolishing the defensive protection altogether and going for an offensive approach. As unlikely, and possibly risky as that is, Andre Gomes provides an option.

Occupying a deeper role than, say, Andres Iniesta, he could slightly alter the style of play for the next few games. If he were to play in that ‘number four’ position, Gomes would be able to pick the ball and drive forward. That is his strength and because it doesn’t fit with the traditional style of the club, aiding a more direct philosophy, he has struggled to get himself firmly into the coach’s, or fans’, good books.

In reality, Andre Gomes will not be the man to step into Sergio Busquets boots, not directly anyway. That doesn’t necessarily rule him out of the next few games. But the space he would leave in a dangerous part of the pitch would leave Barça incredibly exposed and put Pique and Umtiti under pressure, something they will not be particularly used to.

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