Pedri did it again. The Tenerife-born midfielder showed his quality against Real Sociedad and made a brilliant interception to stop the visitors from equalising. Humble as ever, he tried to brush it away, even after taking a whack against the post as a result of his intervention.
“I’m good, it was just a blow, if it was up to me I would have kept running and helping the team,” he said. Pedi ran and helped the team as much as he could before that. He played virtually all of last season in the second division, so he has the stamina for it.
Ronald Koeman loves him for that energy and stamina, his capacity to work hard for the team.
After two weeks on the bench he came back into the side on the left of midfield, coming inside to combine with his team-mates. He always chooses well with the ball and plays at a high rhythm. Leo Messi loves these kind of players and they linked up well. The No 10 gave Pedri instructions during the goal celebrations and during interruptions in play, as well as congratulations and encouragement. Messi sees himself at 18 in Pedri, obsessed with the ball.
His great form makes Philippe Coutinho’s position difficult, with the Brazilian out in the cold, even with Ansu Fati out injured. A decision for Koeman to make again ahead of Valencia, but you shouldn’t fix what isn’t broken…