Sergio Busquets will have to make a decision on his Barça future
Koeman has chosen De Jong to be the base of his new midfield and this means Busquets will play much less next season
On the 13th September it will be 12 years since Sergio Busquets made his official debut for FC Barcelona. It was the second game week in LaLiga after an opening day defeat to Numancia. Pep Guardiola turned to the youngster and ever since that date, he's been an indispensable member of the first team.
12 YEARS WITHOUT A BREAK
Busquets' progression saw Yaya Toure have to leave the club in order to get regular playing time. That's because Busquets, since his debut 12 years ago, hasn't truly been challenged for his starting place in the team. Not for Barça or for Spain. To further demonstrate the importance of Busquets, Luis Enrique called him up for his latest squad. Untouchable from the age of 20 to 32.
FOLLOWING IN XAVI'S FOOTSTEPS
Barça believe Busquets is more than just another player. He means so much more to the history of the club. This is why he, like Xavi Hernandez before him, will be allowed to choose what he wants to do next.
It looked like Xavi's time at Barça was over in the 2013/14 season under Tata Martino. The team won the Spanish Super Cup but failed to win either LaLiga or the Champions League. It was Neymar's debut season too. Xavi decided to stay on for another season even after Luis Enrique said he couldn't guarantee him a starting spot. Rakitic took his place and Xavi was used as a rotational option but the team won the treble and he left through the front door, just as his career deserved.
That is what Busquets must decide now: accept a secondary role or look for a new club where he can start week in, week out. Barça won't try to influence his decision either way.
DE JONG WILL TAKE OVER
This is a decision based purely on sporting merits. Koeman has decided that De Jong will be the new leader of the midfield and needs regular playing time in his new, fixed role. Busquets, like Toure before him, must make a decision on his future.
FIFTH MOST APPEARANCES OF ALL-TIME FOR BARÇA
Sergio Busquets has made a total of 579 appearances for Barça but his influence and role in the team helped transform the club into one of the greatest of all-time.
He is only behind Xavi (767), Messi (731), Iniesta (674) and Carles Puyol (593) in the all-time appearance list for Barça. He's ahead of other legends like Amor, Zubizarreta, Rexach, Gerard Pique and Víctor Valdés
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