Barcelona spent years searching for a player capable of filling Sergio Busquets’ role, but Thierry Henry believes the club may finally have found the closest possible successor in Rodri.
Busquets’ departure left an obvious hole in the Barcelona midfield.
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The former Spain international had become synonymous with the position, combining exceptional positional awareness with composure and an ability to dictate play without demanding attention.
Even under Hansi Flick, who has plenty of midfield quality at his disposal, there has been no direct replacement for the former captain.
That changed when Barcelona signed Rodri from Manchester City this summer, immediately inviting comparisons between two players who have controlled games in very different ways.
Henry, who played alongside Busquets and experienced his qualities first-hand, has now offered his assessment on CBS Sports.
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Henry sees another Busquets in Rodri
The comparison came after Jamie Carragher asked Henry whether Rodri was better than Busquets.
The former Barcelona forward immediately recognized the weight of the question. “I was just about to say that’s a great question.”
Henry then explained why Rodri reminds him so strongly of his former Barcelona teammate.
“I would never have thought I’d see another Busquets. But today, with Rodri, Barca has found a new Busquets.
“Yes, Busquets never won the Ballon d’Or, but with Rodri – when he is fit – the team is different.”
What makes Rodri different from Busquets?
Henry compared Rodri to Sergio Busquets. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
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There are obvious similarities between Rodri and Busquets, as both possess outstanding positional intelligence, are calm under pressure, and control matches through their distribution rather than constant risk-taking.
Rodri, though, offers greater athleticism and power, carries the ball more aggressively and contributes more regularly in the final third.
That has led to comparisons describing him as ‘Busquets with more power’ and a more complete midfielder.
Indeed, Busquets was the pure technician of the role, relying on economy, timing and subtle positioning to influence matches.
However, Rodri offers many of those same qualities while adding physical strength, ball-carrying ability and greater end-product.
