"If I was a footballer, I would like to be like Busquets." - Vicente Del Bosque

A marvellous player to analyse, due to the intricacies of his role and the way he defines it, Barcelona's holding midfielder Sergio Busquets is uncommonly good in his position. He is adored and criticised in equal measure. Those who understand his job are full of praise. Those who don't, say he is a dispensable member of an outstanding squad.

The truth is, the Spanish maestro is one of the greatest in the defensive midfield, or 'pivote' role that the world has ever produced. Technically outstanding, it was Pep Guardiola that first brought 'Busi' into the limelight. Going from the bench at Barça B, to one of the most important players in the Catalan giants' first team is no mean feat.

Since his promotion to the Barcelona first team in 2008/09, Busquets has made 214 appearances in all competitions for his club. An ever-present player throughout 2008-2012, the most successful period in Barça's history in which they won 14 trophies including 2 Champions Leagues, his importance is evident.

It would be noteworthy, for those who still refuse to rate Busquets, to say that in every full season, apart from 2008/09, the Spaniard has been fouled over 100 times. Every team knows that his creativity and ability to dictate the play must be stopped and often, fouling him is the only way.

Busquets is an integral part of almost every attack for both club and country. His positioning and awareness enables him to receive a pass from his team-mates, move both the defensive line and the midfield line forward as he holds onto the ball, and play the passes which allow Barcelona to cut through the opposition. His ability to do this is rare, and is just a part of his superb style of play.

Vicente Del Bosque recognises this, also. Busquets played a major role as Spain won the 2010 World Cup and brought home a second successive European Championship in 2012.

Under Gerardo Martino, who has given him the license to drift forward, the man from Sabadell has shown he is not just able to defend and start attacks, he is also able to attack directly. During Barcelona's 1-0 away loss to Bilbao, Busquets showed that it wasn't only Neymar that could pass with an intelligent flick of the boot. His skill was something that had rarely been seen before, but by moving up the field, and directly being involved in offensive manoeuvres, Busquets has shown his versatility.

Busquets most valuable trait, his most desirable asset, has to be his shielding quality. As a holding midfielder, tackling is a required skill, but the infamous 25 year old has made his name from his anticipation. Busquets has made an average of 2 interceptions per game, but it is almost always stopping a direct threat. With his lack of pace, his awareness of where the ball will go is what has got him to the top-level. In this sense he is similar to his mentor, Pep Guardiola. Able to predict where the ball will go, he steps in, controls and delivers a pass to start another attack.

A player of Busquets' standard, one who defines, and re-shapes, his own position, is a footballer that deserves to be recognised amongst the best. Another product of La Masia, this two-time Champions League winner, one-time European Champion and one-time World Cup winner is one of the greatest of his generation and will no doubt be key to club and country for years to come. Enjoy him while you can, for you may never see another like him.