Inter Miami’s Sergio Busquets is a ‘world class player’ and he doesn’t score goals, Mail Sport’s Ian Ladyman insists on It’s All Kicking Off in debate over Declan Rice’s role at Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice could learn from Sergio Busquets as the Inter Miami star became an ‘absolutely world-class player’ without scoring goals, Mail Sport football editor Ian Ladyman has argued.

Both central midfielders earned big summer moves as Rice traded West Ham to the Emirates in a $132 million deal, while Busquets was a major signing for David Beckham’s franchise alongside Lionel Messi.

There is much debate over whether Rice, who scored a dramatic and important second goal in the Gunners’ 3-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday, should add more goals to his game.

Mail Sport’s Ladyman and popular columnist Chris Sutton joined the discussion this week It all starts podcast.

“I don’t agree,” Ladyman began when it was presented to him that people like former Liverpool captain Graeme Souness had suggested Rice should look more to the back of the net.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice can learn from Sergio Busquets as the Inter Miami star became an ‘absolutely world-class player’ without scoring goals, argued Mail Sport’s Ian Ladyman (L)

There is much debate over whether Sunday’s match winner Rice should score more goals

My favorite midfielder I’ve ever seen play is Sergio Busquets at Barcelona. I think we can all agree that he is definitely a world class player.

He played 481 times for Barcelona in LaLiga in 15 years. How many goals do you think he scored? Eleven, good try.

Sutton replied: “The point is about the role Busquets plays and if Declan Rice plays a role as number 8 a little bit higher up then I think Graeme Souness has a good point then we would expect him to score more goals .

“If he plays as a midfielder, you are right, you are both right.

Ladyman continued: ‘Busquet’s 143 caps for Spain, how many goals?

Sutton replied, “Five.”

The answer is two.

Ladyman added: “The point is being made that Rice can obviously play a part in that Arsenal team. He played pretty deep yesterday. I’m not sure scoring goals is part of that.

Busquets enjoyed an illustrious career alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona before moving to Miami

“If you look at that team, (Gabriel) Martinelli by the way, what a footballer he is. There are goals on that team that certainly don’t have to come from Declan Rice.

Sutton concluded the debate: “In terms of how he will be viewed later on, it’s about Arsenal winning trophies. He will never be a Frank Lampard, a super prolific goalscorer, but to be seen as a true all-rounder I think Graeme Souness has a point.’

Busquets followed Messi to Miami this summer as a free agent. The former Spain international has played alongside the superstar at the Camp Nou from his rise to the Blaugrana first-team in 2008 to the Argentine’s emotional farewell to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.

While Messi has understandably dominated the headlines, Busquets has dominated Miami’s midfield and played a vital role in their dramatic upturn in form.