Sergio Busquets: “If any player has similar characteristics to me then he’s more than welcome”
The player is ready and waiting to work to claim a regular first team place under Tito Vilanova and says the Supercup would be a major boost to confidence
Only Messi played more games than Busquets last year, and the player is hoping for something similar this time round. “I think I’m ready. If injuries and tiredness are kind to me, I hope to do similar things this season.” There are rumours that the club is interested in another midfielder, and on that he says “the coach and director of football have to decide what positions they need to reinforce. If any player has similar characteristics to me then he’s more than welcome. I’ll always work for a first team place and will train as hard as I can to get one”.
Asked on specific names, Sergio said “Song is a very good player. Young, hard-working and physically strong. As for Sergi Roberto, he’s more than ready but I think he’s more of an inside player … Barça has a lost a lot without Keita, both on and off the pitch. He was a very popular player who gave us a lot of strength on the field.”
Supercup and other matters
The first challenge for Barça 2012/13 is the Spanish Supercup. “It’s the first title. It comes after a very short period of training. This trophy would be a major boost to confidence but we also have think about the long term” he said. “Everybody defends their own interests and I’m sure they’ll be two very competitive games.”
He agreed with other players that it is generally the same routine as ever. “It’s been the same until now. We have been training for four days. St the moment it’s the fitness coaches who are managing the training sessions”.
Watching the Olympics
Sergio Busquets has been spending a lot of his time watching the Olympics on TV, “especially the basketball and tennis”. And he was very disappointed at the Spanish football team’s early exit. “It isn’t easy to win. Both the first and second matches were decided by small details”. Asked about his own lack of involvement, Sergio said “I spoke to the manager and he gave me his opinion. I didn’t turn anything down”.
As for the controversy regarding the new kickoff times, Busquets didn’t think there was much he and his colleagues can do. “The League and television companies set the fixtures. We can only respect them. We just play when they tell us and accept that”.
PSG looking strong
According to Sergio Busquets, PSG, Barça’s opponent on Saturday at the Parc des Princes in Paris (19.45), “is a team worth considering for the next Champions league … They have good players. The new signings will need some time to adapt but player by player they’re a very dangerous side.”