Tuesday 3 November 2015 13:37, UK
Sergio Busquets' all-round game is underestimated and the Barcelona player should be regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, believes Terry Gibson.
With long-standing midfield general Xavi departed and Andres Iniesta now 31, Busquets has been a mainstay of the Barca engine room.
The club's transfer embargo means that new signings such as Arda Turan cannot be fielded until the new year, and with a host of youngsters alongside him, Busquets has won praise from his manager for his all-action displays - a sentiment Gibson shared on the La Liga Weekly podcast.
"Luis Enrique has said that Sergio Busquets is the best midfielder in the world," Gibson said. "I have been banging his drum since 2010.
"We have pigeon-holed him as a defensive midfield player, and we overlook his other attributes.
"The skill level he shows when trying to get out of a tight situation; he has a great first touch, good passing range, excellent awareness, he's been a very intelligent footballer from a very young age.
"Graham Hunter has always said he is a street fighter, and he can get down and dirty, which he does, as he is a big, strapping lad.
"When looking around [for best midfielders in the world], the usual suspects come up, but with what he has won, he is right up there.
"When you are in that trio of Xavi and Iniesta of course he was overlooked, but his longevity shows just how important he is for club and country."
Gibson also insisted Lionel Messi's return will only improve Barca, despite the fine form of Luis Suarez and Neymar.
While Barca's defensive troubles has seen them drop points in the seven games since Messi injured his knee in a 2-1 win over Las Palmas in late September, Suarez and Neymar have produced the goods when called upon.
But the pending return of the Argentine superstar can only be a good thing, says Gibson.
"We wondered how they'd cope without Messi, and thought opponents might have half a chance," Gibson added. "But with Neymar and Luis Suarez, they have proved to have plugged the gap. They [Suarez and Neymar] have scored the last 14 La Liga goals for Barcelona, 13 since Messi has been injured.
"But there is no doubt that they will be better with Messi. They are better as a front three rather than a front two, and a better team with him in."
