8 - Pedri

[Loki]

Rumours about him starting on Sunday. Would be disastrous management if he gets injured once again. CL final I would understand, but we need him during the remaining games.

True but the club tried different approaches with him and no matter if he returned faster or later than previously announced, he still got injured shortly after. I think at this stage he is now where Dembele was. No matter what you do, he gets injured. We just need luck that at some point his muscles become stabilized as Dembele's. Let's hope the point is reached now.

 

[vegitot]

Gundogan has the most touches in final third for Barca this season I believe but yeah he is a better finisher than Pedri currently by a fair bit and is on set pieces in way Pedri wouldnt be any time soon.

Dont see Pedri being at his best trying to make him stats heavy really but could be wrong.

He scored 6 goals last season.. good few tap ins and almost striker like finishes close in.. would rather he was on ball more than being asked to take up those positions of thats what it takes for 10 goals/assists.

The best AMs can create goals from nothing almost anywhere in final third for goals and assists.. dont see Pedri as that and prefer him deeper than hanging up top with a CF.

FDJ/Pedri/Gundo.. would almost all get 10 goals/10 assists if allowed to be in and around box that much but dont think makes them suited to that position fully either.

Pedri is asked to play behind striker/forward line this season. He makes good through balls/passes to split opponent's defense. But other than that, like many here already said, he lacks of aggressiveness for an attacking midfielder, which is his biggest weakness.

 

[JamDav1982]

I understand fine where Pedri is being asked to play... my point is I dont think he is suited to being that high up and being expected to stat as he would be slightly deeper to open space up for forward line that produced more and had pace/movement to get in behind.

 

[TheStig]

I know football evolves but what is this obsession with 1 or 2 midfielders playing so high like 10s in recent years. I know Pep does it too but he has personel for that and it works. Why does Xavi have to play Pedri so high? Why can't Pedri play like a normal attacking CM? Iniesta never played so high, Pedri shouldn't also. Why can't we try playing with one DM and 2 CMs like we used to do?

 

[vegitot]

I understand fine where Pedri is being asked to play... my point is I dont think he is suited to being that high up and being expected to stat as he would be slightly deeper to open space up for forward line that produced more and had pace/movement to get in behind.

You are right that Pedri now isn't suited to play that high. But i think if he wants to be the best, he must become that kind of player. He must improve.

 

[vegitot]

I know football evolves but what is this obsession with 1 or 2 midfielders playing so high like 10s in recent years. I know Pep does it too but he has personel for that and it works. Why does Xavi have to play Pedri so high? Why can't Pedri play like a normal attacking CM? Iniesta never played so high, Pedri shouldn't also. Why can't we try playing with one DM and 2 CMs like we used to do?

Pedri is quite different to Iniesta. And Iniesta had Messi (a 10). If Iniesta played in current Barca, i think he would play a 10 like how Pedri nowadays is asked to play.

 

[JamDav1982]

You are right that Pedri now isn't suited to play that high. But i think if he wants to be the best, he must become that kind of player. He must improve.

I cant think of any player with similar to Pedri who has ever played this role to get the best from them.

He is literally up a a striker a lot of time last season.

 

[TheStig]

Pedri is quite different to Iniesta. And Iniesta had Messi (a 10). If Iniesta played in current Barca, i think he would play a 10 like how Pedri nowadays is asked to play.

Pedri has Felix as a 10 (Gavi last year) and he still has to play so high. Don't think anyone would place Iniesta as almost a SS, that's a crime.

 

[jamrock]

Him playing so high is as a result of the box midfield, in that setup the top two midfielders will always play closer to goal.

If we went back to a 4-3-3, then he would play deeper, not deep, which is a critical difference, that's the zone for de jong to connect play, but deeper being more of a bridge between midfield and attack.

 

[behindbrowneyes]

Gundogan has like 11 G+A while playing somewhat deeper. Xavi uses Pedri as an AM or a 10 this season. Xavi always asks him to get 10 goals and 10 assists.

So it's not like the team don't set up for midfielders to get goals.

Have to say, all season long, it is kind of impressive to watch Gündogan at Barca. Specifically, it's impressive to watch just how far above everybody else in that team he is tactically.

Xavi can say what he wants as long as it doesn't show on the pitch... This is not a question of class or a lack of when it comes to players talent but a lack of tactical guidance.

 

[jamrock]

Good point about gundogan tactical awareness on the pitch, he hasn't been his usual WC self yet, but most games the way he moves and if you watch his eyes, you can see he's a step above all our players tactically.

Cancelo too, but to a lesser extent.

That's the pep in them.

 

[vegitot]

Pedri has Felix as a 10 (Gavi last year) and he still has to play so high. Don't think anyone would place Iniesta as almost a SS, that's a crime.

Felix doesn't play as a 10 like Messi.

I cant think of any player with similar to Pedri who has ever played this role to get the best from them.

He is literally up a a striker a lot of time last season.

Some players like Foden, Wirtz can excel in current team if they play the role Xavi want from Pedri. Pedri is a better passer than them but overall he does not view the game as an attacking midfielder should do.

Once in blue moon he can be very brave and daring on the ball like last game vs Osasuna. Still hope for big change.

 

[JamDav1982]

Felix doesn't play as a 10 like Messi.

Some players like Foden, Wirtz can excel in current team if they play the role Xavi want from Pedri. Pedri is a better passer than them but overall he does not view the game as an attacking midfielder should do.

Once in blue moon he can be very brave and daring on the ball like last game vs Osasuna. Still hope for big change.

Foden and Wirtz I dont see like Pedri really.

 

[JamDav1982]

Good point about gundogan tactical awareness on the pitch, he hasn't been his usual WC self yet, but most games the way he moves and if you watch his eyes, you can see he's a step above all our players tactically.

Cancelo too, but to a lesser extent.

That's the pep in them.

Cancelos biggest weakness is his tactical ability.

It is reason Pep punted him and can see it when he plays for Barca.

Gundogan has it.. as does FDJ.. the issue is dont have the balance to allow them to concentrate on what should be.

 

[jamrock]

He's tactical weak for pep, but compared to our current players, he makes run that they don't even see at times, you can clearly see the influence pep has had on him.

His biggest weakness for pep was his personality, weakness defensively and personality.

Tactically he did almost anything pep asked.