Busquets is an option for Barcelona at centre-back, says Valverde

Ernesto Valverde says Sergio Busquets is an option for Barcelona at centre-back with the club short on defenders after injuries to Samuel Umtiti and Javier Mascherano.

Busquets replaced Gerard Pique just after the hour mark at Camp Nou on Tuesday as Barca completed their Champions League group with a 2-0 win over Sporting.

Valverde spoke about the possibility of Busquets playing in defence in the future as well as praising Thomas Vermaelen who played the 90 minutes.

"That [Busquets] is one of the solutions that we can try if there is a problem,” he said.

“I didn't want to risk the whole game with my two centre-backs. It is a possible solution.

"I see Vermaelen playing very well. He competes well, and is strong in the tackle. He breaks up play well. When he has been asked to play, he always responds."

Source | AS

Unsurprisingly Busquets did a good job in defence but it still seems likely that Valverde will go with Pique and Vermaelen as his centre-backs against Villarreal on Sunday.