First, everyone knows about Barcelona’s financial problems. At that time, there were also talking that the Rafinho could sell to balance the bills. Secondly, this is much more important, fears of increased frequently Pedry injuries have increased, as the young Spaniard dropped out of the composition due to problems with the hamstrings for the sixth time in less than 3 years.
No one has ever had any doubt about Pedry’s talent, but his physical form problems were the main cause of concern at the Catalan club. Even neutral fans were painful to see how one of the most gifted players of his generation was forced to complete the performances at the European Championships due to knee injury. However, 8 months after the same case, Pedry may be in the best form in his career.
It is becoming more apparent how much Pedry has a great influence on Barcelona’s game, but so before. It was expected that after the transition from Las-Palms in 2020, the young hawbek would need time to adapt, but in just a few months he became a player of the starting staff at the Catalan Club.
Even Lionel Messi was amazed at the talent of a young Spaniard. There was a good understanding and interaction between them, and there was even hope that their relationships on the field, which seemed to symbolize the past, modern and future of Bars, could even persuade Messi to stay in Catalonia. However, the Argentine went just when Pedry began to take positions.
Barcelona and the Spanish national team knocked Pedry out of the track in 2021. He played in 52 matches for the club and represented his country at the European Championships and the Olympiad of the same summer. He was only 18 years old, and it is not surprising that his body did not withstand such loads. The midfielder missed most of the 2021/2022 season due to two injuries of the popliteal tendon. At that time, there were quite real fears that Pedry’s development could be substantially blown up through the meaningless 73 matches for Barcelona and the Spanish national team in the 2020/2021 season, and that he could never recover completely, as his Fati’s Fatius.
However, the Catalans were tired of losing young talents, and they had a firm intention to correct their mistake. The Blue-Grantov was carefully monitored for the player’s restoration and helped him in this. In the process of rehabilitation, Pedry was examined in the United States, which was recommended to focus on strength exercises and strengthen his muscles. Physical problems were periodically worried by Havbeck until Hans Diter Flik came to Barcelona in the summer of 2024.
The Spaniard was of great benefit from working with a new trainer and his team of specialists. Initially, there were fears that Pedry could have difficulty under the guidance of a trainer, which attaches great importance to intensive pressing. But as time showed, everyone won it. The result is obvious – in the current season, Havbek missed only 1 match, and the one because of illness, not because of injury.
The Spaniard became much stronger physically, although it has not changed externally. And more importantly, it has become much more durable. Only Jules Kunde and Pau Kubari played more matches for Barcelona than Pedry this season, and only Rafinia went to the field in the starting composition more often. For the first time from the 2020/21 campaign, the havbek plays so much, only now it has a lot more affected by the team.
Flik pays a lot of attention to physical form, but it is also important that it makes positional changes when necessary. Previously, Pedry was put closer to the gate to maximize his ability to reveal the opponent’s defense through accurate gears, he now plays a deeper role in the center of the field with Mark Kasado or Frankie de Jong. At the same time, despite a deeper role, midfielder shows good performance.
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Pedry (right) In addition to the fact that the Spaniard scored 5 goals and gave 6 productive gears this season, it has become an integral part of everything that makes Barcelona, the ideal link between defense and attack. Pedry is equally good on both sides of the field. This season, it returns the ball possession more often than any other player from the top 5 European leagues (233 times), and only Rafinia created more dangerous moments than Pedry (61) for Barcelona.
In addition, the Spaniard also makes the most successful gear in the last third of the field. At the same time, he ranks 2nd place among all players of his team from the won (45) and won martial arts (177), as well as divides leadership from Casado from interceptors (23 each). In the current campaign, not only Rafinhas with Yamal, but also Pedry, which emphasizes his growing influence on the team, has been stored repeatedly, and his potential to become a key figure in the future Barcelona.
Although it is already very influenced by the team. Its presence in the center of the field provides the Catalans control, creativity and a very important relationship between defense and attack. Pedry’s ability to receive a ball under pressure, properly dispose of and flee from rivals, helps to “blue-granate” keep the possession and dictate the pace of the game. With its gears, it breaks the lines, starts attacks and creates a space for the attacker players.
The Spaniard does not panic or hurry, making the right decisions with the ball. He always knows what to do. If you need help in defense, it falls deeper, presses opponents and enters the selection. Pedry demonstrates a mature understanding of the game. He knows when to fit when to break forward and hit the gate, and when to return and press.
Despite numerous rumors about the possible change of the club, the Spaniard has always expressed a commitment to Barcelona and its values. He understands the importance of football based on the ball, an attacking game and a team spirit. Undoubtedly, Pedry is not ideal. He still needs to continue to work on improving physical fitness. It can also be even better in defensive actions. However, its potential seems boundless. With the constant development, a young Spaniard can become one of the best midfielders in the world and the future leader of Barcelona.
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Source: Sport.ua