“The defensive midfielder is very important in football”

The following is an interview between Catalan sports paper Sport and Sergio Busquets. The original can be found here.

How are you preparing for the decisive game against Chile?

Like any other final, we can’t fail. The pressure gives us more motivation.

After being questioned about forming a double pivot with Xabi Alonso in the game against Switzerland, did you redeem yourself against Honduras?

For me it was just another game and luckily we won. I tried to help, sometimes it goes well and other times it doesn’t but the important thing is to have the desire, help the team and [your] teammates.

What do you think of Del Bosque saying that if he were a player he’d like to be like you?

The coach saying that makes me very proud. He was as good of a player as he is a coach. He was very important to the sport and it’s always nice to hear things like that but I think he’d say the same thing about all 23 of us.

But it’s difficult for something like that to be said about a defensive midfielder.

The defensive midfielder is very important in football. The fans focus on the midfield and the strikers because they make the goals happen and it’s somewhat normal that people focus more on them. They bring the spectacle with shots and goals, which is the most important thing in football, although you’ve got to value other positions too.

If Del Bosque would like to be like Busquets, would you like to be like Messi?

I’m happy to be myself. There is only one Leo Messi, he’s the best in the world and it’d be very difficult to be like him. I’m happy with my career.

Do you see Touré’s departure to City as a new vote of confidence from the club?

I’ve always felt important. The coaching staff and my teammates have supported me both on and off the pitch. I’ve been able to play a lot and I’m appreciative of that. Touré is a great player and he has helped us a lot. I don’t know if someone else will come to cover for Touré but with the players we have we can compete.

For Touré, your backup, they’ve paid 32 million euros. What would Busquets cost?

I don’t have a price because I’m not on the market. I’m not going to leave because I’m very happy here. The cost of a player is up to the clubs but I wouldn’t leave for any amount.

Touré was your competition, it seems like you’re disappointed that he’s leaving.

We are all teammates, people that have shared a dressing room in a club where there is a very humane treatment, but in football we all know that players come and go. In Barça there is a very good working environment and it makes you enjoy working with everyone. I wish him all the luck in the world, he’s been a very important player and he’s done a lot for Barça. We’ll always remember him as a great player and a great person.

Is it a good idea to change up the team so that there is always competition?

Changing things up is the law of football. A player always plays where he wants to. Touré has decided to leave because he considers it to be in his best interest. You’ve got to respect that and we must move on.

Do you think it was difficult for him to play a secondary role?

We all want to play. It’s true that the seasons are very long and you’ve got to fight in every practice so that the coach gives you an opportunity.

Touré is gone and it looks like Cesc is close to returning. Being in South Africa, do you feel like he’s already part of the Barça team?

We’re very accustomed to having him on the national team. He played at Barça at a young age, he understands the philosophy, he’s got a lot of class and he’s a very important player at Arsenal. He’s one of the best midfielders around and I’m certain he’d add to our quality.

Is it going to be even more difficult to triumph after having won the league with 99 points?

Every season is a new story. We said the same thing last year. There is always pressure and motivation to win titles. We start off every season the same way. You’ve got the obligation to stay in every competition and win trophies.

Does the arrival of Mourinho add to the motivation?

Mourinho is a great coach but playing Madrid is enough of a motivation. It doesn’t matter who the coach is.

Won’t it increase your hunger due to his character?

We’ve always stayed away from his provocations. The most important things are the games and the players. Mourinho is only a coach and we play against players and there is always motivation with Madrid.