Inter Miami have been in fantastic form in recent weeks, and one of the surprise revelations has been Sergio Busquets move into defense.
The legendary Spanish midfielder has seen his role change with the Herons under Tata Martino with Busquets dropping into the center-back position this summer with Yannick Bright replacing the former FC Barcelona star in the center of the park.
Despite the change, the results speak for themselves, with the Florida franchise losing just one game this summer in MLS since the tactical switch, with Matt Doyle saying Busquets has been Inter Miami’s MVP this year.
And Kieran Gibbs now thinks an Inter Miami youngster is helping Busquets even more in his new role.
Ian Fray praised for complimenting Busquets in Inter Miami’s defense
Speaking on the Inter Miami Weekly Show, the former Arsenal defender highlighted how Ian Fray has worked well with Busquets at the back this summer, with the Inter Miami youngster returning to MLS action after a year out through injury.
With Martino tipping Fray for a ‘big future’, the 22-year-old defender has already made a sizeable impact at Inter Miami this summer since coming back into the squad, and Gibbs now thinks Fray is helping Busquets greatly in his new defensive role.
Gibbs said on Fray and Busquets playing together: “It’s added a new dynamic, it almost opens up a spare man cuz Ian is so athletic that he can almost cover two positions, he can play as a right-back when they have the ball, but he can also tuck in and drop in as a no. 5 when they’re having a difficult spell.
“I think that’s why they look so solid, and when you have Busquets there, that composure and that experience to play out from the back and select the right pass, the decision-making to break the first line, that opens up the spare man in midfield, and that’s when you get players turned and you can feed in Suarez and players like that, it’s a healthy balance.”
Busquets change will lead to silverware this year for the Herons
Busquets making the drop into central defense is something no soccer fan would have predicted this year, yet the change could well be what leads Inter Miami to success this season.
The Herons are cruising the Supporters’ Shield race with Inter Miami also looking like strong favorites to win MLS Cup, with the Florida franchise the first side to qualify for the post-season play-offs.
And if Busquets can remain fit, there’s a real chance that Inter Miami can win the domestic double in the coming weeks, an accomplishment that only a handful of MLS teams have managed.