Garcia Pimienta tips Barcelona wonderkid as ‘perfect’ Sergio Busquets replacement

Amongst the number of loanees from Barcelona this season, Nico Gonzalez is one of them who has joined Valencia on a temporary basis.

While the 19-year-old has impressed at the Mestalla Stadium so far, it is clear that he is firmly in his parent club’s plans, having been tied down to a long-term contract till 2026 this summer.

While the likes of Pedri and Gavi seem to have taken the mantel from the legendary duo of Xavi and Iniesta, former Barça B coach Garcia Pimienta explained why he tips Nico to emerge as the successor to the great Sergio Busquets.

“Last season Nico was already at Sergio Busquets’ side and, from my point of view, he meets all the requirements, he is the perfect player, ideal to play for Barça, although that does not mean that his game is only specifically for Barcelona,” he said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

The current Las Palmas boss also revealed why he reckons the youngster is an ideal fit to be deployed as a defensive midfielder.

“I have a lot, a lot of faith in Nico. He went up to Barça B with me when he was in his last year of youth and I verified that he understands the position in the pivot game.”

In recent weeks, it has been speculated that Xavi eyes Frenkie de Jong as the rightful heir to Sergio Busquets’ throne, who has been linked with a switch to the MLS.

Utilised as a number six on a handful of occasions, the Dutchman seems to be the Barcelona manager’s preferred choice to play a role in the near future.

However, with Nico being a natural defensive midfielder coupled with the education he received at La Masia, he could prove to be the long-term solution.