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28 March 2024

Chelsea’s final Barca move: Busquets for Mikel

Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona (R) duels for the ball with Nelson Oliveira of Deportivo La Coruna during the La Liga match between Deportivo La Coruna and FC Barcelona at Riazor Stadium on October 20, 2012 in La Coruna, Spain. FC Barcelona won 4-5. (GETTY IMAGES)

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By Staff

A Chelsea performance that has left pundits cooing, opponents worried and neutrals oohing has two worrying strands of thought.

Roman Abramovich’s relentless march towards the kind of Barcelona-esque world football dominance hinges on a ‘complete’ team.

The readying of the plank for John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole points to the perceived ruthlessness – but football reality - of the operation.

This is why the 4-2 steamrolling of Tottenham Hotspur needs to be seen in the light of the weakest links – the dynamic midfield and dependable defence are ticked.

Even Petr Cech seems to have found a new vein of form.

This leaves Fernando Torres up front.

An argument that is spurring action on the Radamel Falcao front and raising the spectre of a Didier Drogba comeback.

Then there is John Obi Mikel.

As Oscar, Juan Mata and Eden Hazard work their magic, Ramires seems happy, willing and able to do the leg-work needed to hold midfield, especially in defence.

Against, Spurs, however, Mikel was exposed by a team that showed, for a 15 minute period in the second half.

Unable to deal with a Spurs midfield shorn of Scott Parker or with the width and speed provided Gareth Bale, Mikel seemed pedestrian at times.

With an ever-attacking full-back like David Luis, a proper holding midfielder – who, in the immortal words of Brendan Rodgers, must be able to “defend with the ball at his feet” – becomes crucial to the complete Chelsea dynamic.

Sergio Busquets at Barcelona might provide the answer.

Manchester City seem to have piqued the Barcelona midfielders interest in moving away from the Catalan giants and while, City threaten to steal the Falcao option from Chelsea, Chelsea might need to steal the Busquets option from City.

Not only does Busquets defend comfortably with the ball at his feet, he is able to shield his back four and bring the ball out for an attack. 

With Busquets holding the centre of midfield, the Chelsea dynamic will allow the bench to seat Ramires to give Stamford Bridge the kind of depth it needs to defend the Champions League title and win the Premier League.

Manager Roberto Di Matteo has at length stated that Mikel is underrated.

As compared to Busquets, he is just not in the same class.
 

BUSQUETS TALENT