Pirlo is perhaps the greatest true regista that has ever played the game; Busquets is perhaps the most complete all-round defensive midfielder. Different players, different qualities, but both among the greatest footballers that have ever played the game.
January 9, 2019Two of the great deep-lying midfielders of the recent era have been Andrea Pirlo and Sergio Busquets, but they are different players who bring different qualities. While Pirlo was and Busquets is an exceptional player, their individual attributes show the variety that can be found in the deep-lying playmaker role, with team systems and a player’s own abilities shaping the function and execution of one of the most important roles in modern football.