The Best Remaining Defensive Midfielders After Busquets Retirement
Long-time Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets will leave the Spanish club at the end of the season. Having played 18 years for one of the biggest teams, he became among, if not the best defensive midfielders ever.
His departure could also mean upcoming retirement, leaving the football to decide the best remaining CDMs. Here are the players who have been or can reach Sergio Busquets status in the position.
Casemeiro – Manchester United
Casemiro’s move to Manchester United was imaginable but unexpected, as was his departure from Real Madrid. The Brazilian did prove his worth with the Los Blancos, helping them win multiple Champions League titles.
His presence in the midfield can be compared to Busquets, and to many pundits, he’s far better offensively. His trademark long-range shots have helped him win big games, and Manchester United fans will want one of such skills in the upcoming FA Cup final.
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Joshua Kimmich – Bayern Munich
Kimmich has been a versatile player for Bayern Munich, trying different positions before settling in the CDM. Despite being one of the best right backs at the start of his career, the 28-year-old is arguably the best defensive mid.
He has also repeatedly featured for Germany, winning the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia in 2017.
Rodri – Manchester City
Rodri has been a large part of Man City’s success since his arrival in 2019. He has a similar playing style to Busquets but is more elusive and fast. Like the Barcelona legend, Rodri is challenging to replace, making him feature multiple times without a substitute.
He is also flexible, thus presenting a couple of times as a center back for both Man City and the country. Perhaps this is the reason Kalvin Philips cannot replace him.
N’golo Kante – Chelsea
The last two seasons do not do Kante justice, with injuries bothering him throughout. Nonetheless, he’s still shown to be amongst the best in his position.
Apart from the two EPL Cups, he has been a large part of his national team, helping them to victory in the 2018 World Cup.
Conclusion
There are many quality midfielders, with the mentioned coming out on top, regarding their form and achievements with respective teams. Like Sergio Busquets, these players have been able to replicate their club form to their national squads, each winning a major trophy with their countries.