Sergio Busquets has been a rock in Inter Miami’s midfield.
Since signing with the team in the summer, the World Cup winner has brought progressive passing and high tactical intelligence to Miami’s squad. Additionally, his many years of experience helped Miami win its first piece of silverware in club history this summer.
As the Herons pivot to 2024, the biggest question heading into the season will be who will partner with Busquets in the middle.
In previous games this year, there were times when the ex-Spain captain looked slow against teams that fielded pacy wingers. Despite his iron-man status, Busquets started to look tired as the season progressed.
With 2024 on the horizon, head coach Tata Martino needs to implement the right personnel next to the Spaniard who will hide his weak spots.
Who should partner Busquets in Inter Miami’s midfield?
There are a myriad of options that Martino could go with to pair with Busquets.
The most obvious player in this discussion is defensive midfielder Gregore.
The Brazilian was a powerhouse in the center of the pitch for Miami before he got injured. He was also a key member of the midfield during the team’s 2022 run to sixth place in the East. Though he spent the majority of the season injured, he recovered just in time for the last two matches of the year.
The 29-year-old looked like his usual self, covering lots of ground and breaking up opposition attacks. Furthermore, Gregore has leadership qualities that will be helpful for Miami’s young core of players.
Another choice could be fellow Brazilian, Jean Mota.
Like Gregore, Mota missed a significant period of games in 2023 and returned to the field months before the season ended. The central midfielder excels at dictating play in the final third. A more creative type compared to his compatriot Gregore, Mota does struggle on the defensive end from time to time.
Other potential players that could play next to Busquets are Benjamin Cremaschi, Dixon Arroyo, Lawson Sunderland, and Diego Gomez. Additionally, Miami could also survey the market and bring in another MLS experienced midfielder.
Whoever Martino decides to play, they’ll need to have the legs to cover when Busquets is a step too slow. As the next season slowly approaches, Miami will have a solid midfield if they implement the right personnel.