Sergio Lobera Endorses Oriol Romeu as an Ideal Replacement for Busquets at FC Barcelona

Sergio Lobera

When it comes to dominant, attacking football, few teams in the last couple of decades have rivaled the success of FC Barcelona. The club’s relentless pursuit of excellence, often built upon the foundation of their revered youth academy “La Masía,” has seen the assembly of some of the greatest teams in football history. While the club has experienced a dip in form in recent years, the philosophy of nurturing homegrown talent remains a cornerstone of Barcelona’s identity. Sergio Lobera, a man who played an integral role in discovering the likes of Sergio Busquets and Oriol Romeu, embodies this ethos.

Sergio Busquets in 2005

While Pep Guardiola served as the standard-bearer of Barcelona’s tiki-taka revolution, Sergio Lobera, often overshadowed by Guardiola’s brilliance, played a crucial role in identifying and recruiting future stars for the club during his tenure from 1999 to 2007. His keen eye for talent led him to unearth young prospects such as Sergio Busquets, Girona’s Oriol Romeu, as well as developing raw talents like Stoke City’s Bojan Krkic, Marc Bartra, and Pedro Rodríguez. Lobera’s astute assessment of Busquets was evident when he remarked, “What impressed me the most about Sergio Busquets when we decided to sign him for Barcelona was his tactical intelligence. At 17, he didn’t score goals, and his technical prowess wasn’t immediately eye-catching, but his positioning on the field was extraordinary. He provided balance to the entire team, a skill rarely seen at such a young age. Playing for Barcelona means being accustomed to possession, making it challenging to develop ‘alternative’ skills such as street smarts or cunning tactics. However, Busquets had played for clubs like Lleida, a third-division side, before arriving at Camp Nou. It was there that he honed the tricks and techniques not typically taught at La Masía. His exceptional footballing acumen sets him apart from his peers.”

In 2005, when Busquets signed for Barcelona, many in the city were underwhelmed. At first glance, he didn’t seem to fit the tiki-taka style. Yet, Lobera’s unwavering belief in the player proved crucial. Today, Busquets, the backbone of FC Barcelona, has departed, leaving the club with the arduous task of finding a suitable replacement. In fact, this may be Barcelona’s most challenging assignment in over a decade.

Lobera, born in Zaragoza, Aragon, has a solution in mind. He advocates for the return of Oriol Romeu, who Lobera himself signed for Barcelona’s Infantil A team. Lobera has firsthand experience working with both Busquets and Romeu, making him the ideal authority to discuss the change in the pivot position at Barcelona under Xavi. Busquets’ departure creates a void, and Romeu, who Lobera convinced to leave Espanyol and join Barcelona, could be the answer.

Oriol Romeu

In an exclusive interview with SPORT, Lobera, currently managing Odisha FC in the Indian Super League, shared his insights on the potential replacement for Busquets. Lobera, who trained numerous Barcelona youth players like Jordi Alba, Thiago, Pedro, Bojan, and Bartra, emphasized the qualities that made Romeu an exceptional player. He praised Romeu’s versatility, stating, “Technically, Oriol Romeu possesses all the attributes required to fill the void left by Sergio Busquets.”

Lobera believes that playing alongside players like Frenkie de Jong, Ilkay Gundogan, and Pedri will only enhance Romeu’s performance. With Xavi as coach and surrounded by talented teammates, Romeu has the opportunity to showcase his remarkable qualities to an even greater extent.

Romeu’s competitive spirit, defensive aggression, tactical intelligence, and decision-making abilities were all hailed by Lobera. Additionally, Lobera commended Romeu’s character off the field, stating that he is respected and admired in the dressing room. Romeu’s work ethic, dedication, and professionalism make him a role model for others.

Reflecting on Romeu’s past, Lobera acknowledged the significance of his time at La Masía in understanding the demands and expectations of Barcelona. Romeu’s return to the club, after years away, is a testament to his unwavering belief in his own abilities and his tireless efforts to fulfill his dreams.

While Lobera refrains from making direct comparisons between players, he firmly believes that Romeu possesses the necessary attributes and mentality to thrive at a club like Barcelona. Lobera’s endorsement of Romeu’s potential to fill Busquets’ shoes is based on his comprehensive knowledge of the player’s capabilities.

As Barcelona embarks on the challenging task of finding a successor to Sergio Busquets, the return of Oriol Romeu, backed by the expertise of Sergio Lobera, offers a glimmer of hope for the Catalan giants. With Romeu’s technical prowess, tactical acumen, and the guidance of Xavi, Barcelona may have found the perfect candidate to continue the legacy of the club’s illustrious pivot position.