8 - Pedri

[Temptation]

He's taking over my social media feed, casual English fans really don't know ball, they are flabbergasted by him vs Newcastle, while for those who watch him, it's basically just another pedri game lol

Just show how EPL closed down those guys are. Really believe the fantasy that EPL has highest talent lol. And they didn't see Yamal playing in England yet.

Maybe vs Chelsea they can enjoy both.

Nah. That's very normal.

Let's not act like La Liga fans know a lot about the PL, Bundesliga, Serie A and watch it week in week out. They don't.

This is true for every league's fanbase. PL fans are just under the limelight more on social media so it has more visibility.

Many La Liga fans were clueless about how good Conor Bradley was until he schooled Real Madrid attackers in the CL last season.

Most La Liga fans have no idea how good Wirtz is. Anyone who follows the Bundesliga knows that he was the best player in the league for 2 years in a row, main man of the German NT already and even the Bayern hierarchy said he was the best German player (Musiala plays for them lol).

Many La Liga fans had no clue about Palmer's talent levels until very recently.

So it's actually very normal. Every fan underrates players from other leagues.

 

[serghei]

I do not think for example that Gavi has been well enough physically to start 3 games with Pedri and De Jong. His injury with Spain happened at the worst time. Just before Flick came at the team. Missed an important step and now has to catch up.

 

[vegitot]

That's a bit like Iniesta's trajectory too, it has to be the next step which we've already seen signs of it evolving under Flick

Like an Iniesta, whom, let's be honest, will inextricably and habitually linked to Pedri is an extraordinary footballer. A player that can surpass Andres for me which includes the WC - it depends on him IMHO. His personality is a facilitator of the team's collective genius rather than executor - when he is proactive, it's just like early Iniesta for me

But now he has even greater talent in teammates than I think Andres had so finding your moments is a balance, fortunately his personality forces him to defer to the team

Who knows what his ceiling is but he is only 22 years of age - that's when Iniesta really arrived in CL 2006. We're really lucky and I am thrilled that he has managed to stay injury free - what a god damn relief

He isn't an agressive dribbler like Iniesta though his technique is on par with The Don.

Of course he can dominate the game by different way.

 

[serghei]

Nah. That's very normal.

Let's not act like La Liga fans know a lot about the PL, Bundesliga, Serie A and watch it week in week out. They don't.

This is true for every league's fanbase. PL fans are just under the limelight more on social media so it has more visibility.

Many La Liga fans were clueless about how good Conor Bradley was until he schooled Real Madrid attackers in the CL last season.

Most La Liga fans have no idea how good Wirtz is. Anyone who follows the Bundesliga knows that he was the best player in the league for 2 years in a row, main man of the German NT already and even the Bayern hierarchy said he was the best German player (Musiala plays for them lol).

Many La Liga fans had no clue about Palmer's talent levels until very recently.

So it's actually very normal. Every fan underrates players from other leagues.

It is normal in the sense that it is normal for Spain fans to watch more EPL than viceversa. But still, Pedri is a high profile player and you sould know how good he is just by watching Spain or El Clasico matches.

If you don't watch El Clasico at least from Spain, you are a bit of an ignorant football fan with low football culture.

 

[jamrock]

I do not think for example that Gavi has been well enough physically to start 3 games with Pedri and De Jong. His injury with Spain happened at the worst time. Just before Flick came at the team. Missed an important step and now has to catch up.

Yea terrible time with his injury, he can just fight his was back now, if the injury doesn't affect him long term.

A fit in form gavi though, will find his way in the starting XI, like he's always done, I don't know for who though.

 

[jamrock]

It is normal in the sense that it is normal for Spain fans to watch more EPL than viceversa. But still, Pedri is a high profile player and you sould know how good he is just by watching Spain or El Clasico matches.

This @Temptation

Serghei saved me a reply

 

[Temptation]

It is normal in the sense that it is normal for Spain fans to watch more EPL than viceversa. But still, Pedri is a high profile player and you sould know how good he is just by watching Spain or El Clasico matches.

Palmer and Wirtz are very high profile too yet fans from other leagues barely knew them until very recently.

 

[JamDav1982]

I don't think FDJ would get the better of Joelinton physically either.

FDJ is just one of the most press resistant players in the world with excellent technique.

Shielding the ball involves Football IQ, spacial awareness and balance more so than pure strength. Especially in modern Football where the refs protect you more.

FDJ schooled Joelinton because of his talent, IQ and technique not pure physicality. Joelinton is a beast physically.

The running around argument is rather childish. People said the same about Kante initially. Energetic players often look like they're just running around but they are just constantly unsettling the opponents and harrassing them. Gavi at his best disrupted the rhythm of the opponent midfielders.

Frenkie did go toe to toe with Joelinton and was not being pushed around.

 

[JamDav1982]

It is a bit of a myth EPL fans dont know or rate Pedri though.

I would bet if you asked the average EPL fan the best midfielder in the world before the Newcastle game his name would be in the mix.

Newcastle fans saying Pedri or FDJ or both together are the best they have seen there is just further confirming it.

 

[jamrock]

Palmer and Wirtz are very high profile too yet fans from other leagues barely knew them until very recently.

I think most casual fans know those two

But the reaction to pedri these last few games in England and on social media, it's like they saw prime Iniesta.

When that's just another game for pedri.

 

[vegitot]

What was true 2/3 years ago?

I would say Pedri still has to show it in latter stages of CL or Intl tournament if wants to be universally held up as the very best.. even if he already is.

Should have been playing deeper years ago.

Still can be class at AM but just need him facing game and dictating tempo more than that.

Pedri described himself as more of a Brazilian player. I think he want to play as an AMC but with high volume of touches like him playing in deeper position.

 

[RedxMAK]

Some think Gavi is more important to Barca and Pedri can be replaces by La Masia player in few year.

Pedri is the best going playing deeper as always was said could be.

Some knew it and called for the FDJ/Pedri double years ago and was told not best for either.

They toyed with likes of Tonali and Bruno who folk over rate.

Rodri was good the other night by all accounts and quite quickly finding form.

Man even when the Gavi hype was strong in early 23/24, and I started hearing the Gavi is better than Pedri comments. I never ever agreed with such statements, I love Gavi and all but it is very disrespectful to even claim that he is near Pedri as a midfielder in general.

 

[Temptation]

Frenkie did go toe to toe with Joelinton and was not being pushed around.

Thiago or Veratti never got pushed around by anyone either and that wasn't because of their physical strength.

The most press resistant players have such amazing technique, balance, agility and spacial awareness that you can't get near them. FDJ is probably in that category of press resistance.

You don't necessarily need to be a tank like Prime Moussa Dembele (also one of the most press resistant players ever) to not get pushed around by physical midfield generals.

 

[JamDav1982]

Thiago or Veratti never got pushed around by anyone either and that wasn't because of their physical strength.

The most press resistant players have such amazing technique, balance, agility and spacial awareness that you can't get near them. FDJ is probably in that category of press resistance.

You don't necessarily need to be a tank like Prime Moussa Dembele (also one of the most press resistant players ever) to not get pushed around by physical midfield generals.

Totally different.

Frenkie was the one picking up Joelinton when ball in air and Joelinto trying to rough him up when Barca had ball.

He couldnt get near Frenkie when Frenkie had ball due to technique but speaking out with that.

They couldnt get near Pedri on the ball either but I can guarantee Pedri would not have been able to pick up Joelinto as effectively when ball in air and a fight to get in position etc.

 

[serghei]

Good post again. De Jong is physical enough to withstand pressure even in close encounters. But it is always to shield the ball in situations where he procures an advantage based on his technique and his spatial awareness.

He never goes in 50-50 physical duels because his ball control almost never throws him in the deep end like that.