The coach said it was a priority to find the right replacement for the veteran

A replacement for Sergio Busquets is urgently needed. But, at the same time, such haste can lead to mistakes. We have to be very careful and find a player to fill the sensitive void left by the player from Badia.

Is Zubimendi the most similar and ideal profile? Are more physical players like Amrabat ruled out? Could Rubén Neves fit in? We asked Xavi Hernández in the press conference before the Barça-Mallorca game what the pivot of the future for FC Barcelona should be like.

"Whoever is the most complete, whoever is the best pivot to replace Busquets. We depend on fair play and the economic situation. The profile must be a very decisive player, a player who is strong to wins duels and is intelligent, technically sound. The natural replacement for Busi," said the player from Terrassa. 

As for why no replacements have come out of La Masia over the years, he commented that "Yes, there have been some. Samper, Oriol Romeu? Yaya Toure had to leave, a spectacular player. We've been lucky that Busquets has never been injured. Players eventually decide that they have to leave. Now it's time to find a replacement because we're not sure if we have one at home.

"We have to find that piece if we want to compete next year, it's fundamental. Busi has been vital this year, very important. We have to find a very important player, it is key to be able to compete next season", he added.