8 - Pedri

[Messigician]

Are we better without Pedri?

 

[Messigician]

Gonna wait a little bit before getting too worried, Iniesta also had issues early on and was able to make it through. His body isnt fully mature yet and is a little fragile (especially since hes so small). I think as his body matures he may get rid of the constant injuries.

Iniesta was also injury prone and didn't grow out of that ao idk what u mean

 

[Temptation]

Where does he fit in once he returns? How does he fit into this current system?


Straight replacement for Gavi?


But they have different qualities and Gavi is far more potent off the ball. That might spoil the balance of the current system.


The things Pedri does is already covered by FDJ and Gundogan in this system. Also, Felix is drifting into those left sided number 10 pockets where Pedri wants to operate in.

@Andresito @Messigician @ajnotkeith

 

[JohnN]

he fits because we face different opponents, of different qualities and need different attributes each time and rotations. having this kind of problem with many good choices is a manager's wet dream.

 

[Andresito]

Still at least a month until he returns so no need to rush any decisions now. Answer might be clearer after all those games until then.

It all depends on injuries/form/opponent. Having Pedri back will give us another dimension and hopefully will increase the level of his competition further. Schedule is tight so there will be plenty of playing time for everyone.

Besides, there aren't many top sides which have a clear starting midfield 3/4. City have players like Rodri, Nunes, Kovacic, Foden, KDB, Bernardo, Alvarez as options for their three central positions. Madrid have Modric, Kroos, Tchou, Cama, Valverde, Bellingham etc.

 

[Porque]

Enough games to have Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie and Gundy rotate 3 positions. Then Oriol shadowing these 5.

 

[Temptation]

Enough games to have Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie and Gundy rotate 3 positions. Then Oriol shadowing these 5.

Ofcourse but the problem arises when you have to play a CL final or a huge game. The players who don't start will get mad and look for a way out.

Man management becomes a nightmare and friction develops in the dressing room. Barca don't pay you under the table like City do either.

That's the dilemma of having strong squad players. If your squad players are obviously and clearly perceived inferior to the starters then it's not an issue..

 

[Porque]

Ofcourse but the problem arises when you have to play a CL final or a huge game. The players who don't start will get mad and look for a way out.


That's the dilemma of having strong squad players. If you're squad players are obviously and clearly perceived inferior to the starters then it's not an issue..

That's true. Oriol at the presser said the squad is short though.

I think way football in Europe is going with congested fixture load that squad rotation is heading to be normalised. Especially with 5 subs which should be here to stay.

When all is fit then selection should be based on form and then the opposition.

Pep seasonally has a starter become a bench option and vice-versa. Only drawback is we don't have the transfer funds right now to fluidly transfer out and sign players when they don't believe in the model and want to move on.

But let's be honest, Pedri is gonna come back, get injured and be out for a few months again.

Araujo Is going to come back, get injured and be out a few months.

So these rotation problems tend to solve themselves.

 

[Temptation]

That's true. Oriol at the presser said the squad is short though.

I think way football in Europe is going with congested fixture load that squad rotation is heading to be normalised. Especially with 5 subs which should be here to stay.

When all is fit then selection should be based on form and then the opposition.

Pep seasonally has a starter become a bench option and vice-versa. Only drawback is we don't have the transfer funds right now to fluidly transfer out and sign players when they don't believe in the model and want to move on.

But let's be honest, Pedri is gonna come back, get injured and be out for a few months again.

Araujo Is going to come back, get injured and be out a few months.

So these rotation problems tend to solve themselves.

Good balanced take.


As Football is progressing, players are more professional, selfless and team-oriented.


The only player at Barca who'll throw tantrums getting subbed is Lewy.

 

[malvolio]

That's true. Oriol at the presser said the squad is short though.

I think way football in Europe is going with congested fixture load that squad rotation is heading to be normalised. Especially with 5 subs which should be here to stay.

When all is fit then selection should be based on form and then the opposition.

Pep seasonally has a starter become a bench option and vice-versa. Only drawback is we don't have the transfer funds right now to fluidly transfer out and sign players when they don't believe in the model and want to move on.

But let's be honest, Pedri is gonna come back, get injured and be out for a few months again.

Araujo Is going to come back, get injured and be out a few months.

So these rotation problems tend to solve themselves.

Bench still looks weak to me. Last night we had the following:
Fermin
Romeu
Torres
Yamal
Roberto
Alonso
Astralaga
Casado
Martinez
Pena

Let's be honest, the only players from that bench that can bring something different right now are Torres and Yamal. And you never know when Torres reverts to last season's form or Yamal ends his honeymoon phase as he's a kid. Martinez, Roberto, Romeu and Alonso are training cones in important matches.

 

[serghei]

Are we better without Pedri?

No, but not worse either. Just a bit different. Still better to have Pedri as an option than not. All things considered though, Pedri is fighting with Gundogan for a playmaker role, and I think for the time being he is not as good as Gundogan.

That's why we don't miss him. We brought Gundogan and his passing and final ball are better than Pedri's.

 

[JamDav1982]

Pedri is good enough to play any of the midfield roles and probably the best choice back up on the AML role if comes to it also.

He would be brilliant in the box to box role on left also.

Will be a luxury to have them all fit and physically ready for selection ever to be a problem.

Pedri in that Euros for Spain was often in that left AM role and has more quality to play there than Gavi.

Wouldnt get the goals Felix will though.

 

[serghei]

There's no rush with Pedri though. Only fans dreaming of insane stuff aren't happy with him being with us for what we paid to Las Palmas. A steal imo. He has time to mature in the role easily, with patience.

Players like Cancelo signing are ideal for us. Mature class players like Cancelo, Gundogan, they are ready to step in right now.

 

[Porque]

Quite like Pedri as that deep lying playmaker role myself. Got an excellent long range pass that he has not shown lately nearly enough.

Main thing though is our midfield is fluid and any of the three can slot in on any of the positions.

 

[serghei]

Don't think that's a real position. Deep lying playmaker sounds like a fifa football manager term. Only example I remember was Pirlo, but he had two physical players next to him, Vidal and Marchisio at the time. Plus a very robust defense with likes of Chiellini and Bonucci back in the day.

Don't think Pedri works in a deeper position personally. His future should be in the AM position. Needs to improve his final ball in these years and he's almost there.

He can play CM or AM. If he plays CM, you need an AM with a good workrate, more of a box to box. For example, don't think De Jong + Pedri + Gundogan would be a very balanced midfield.