Pedro González’s football recital against Athletic Club this Sunday in LaLiga served to open the eyes of the few who still doubted last season’s Golden Boy. ‘Pedri’, the most valuable jewel that FC Barcelona has in its midfield, has been in charge of being the footballing leader of the team, directing the timing of Xavi Hernández’s tactical plan and becoming the most talented midfielder in the world, with only 19 years old.
The pipe of ‘Pedri’ to Mikel Balenziaga was just the icing on the cake of a performance that will not only increase his value in the market, but could give way to the fact that at some point he fills the shoes of the legend Andrés Iniesta, who together with Xavi and Sergio Busquets formed the best midfield of the last 15 years in football.
So far this season, the Tenerife-born player has played 513 minutes in the Spanish league, scoring a goal and providing an assist. In the Champions League he could barely play 157 minutes and in the Europa League he has already accumulated 164. However, and although ‘Pedri’ is not directly involved in defining the matches in the last third of the pitch, his value lies in stopping the time on the ball and become that all-important catalyst on a team.
However, the Golden Boy has been involved in 31 shots on Barca’s goal this season and in 5 plays that ended in a goal.
The ability that ‘Pedri’ has to handle the ball with both legs, have a unique vision of the game and serve as a brain in the midst of extremely talented players around him makes him the axis of FC Barcelona’s game. Not surprisingly, Xavi said this Sunday that there was no player like him today.
“‘Pedri’ is the most talented player in the world. If we talk about talent, he’s number 1. He reminds me of Andrés Iniesta. He’s very humble and will never say what I’m saying, but he has a unique talent”, said Xavi at the conference of press.
Remember also that the Spaniard was able to grant 64 passes that created scoring chances and registered 79 actions for the creation of a shot on goal last season (the last of Lionel Messi in the team); that is, plays that, thanks to his passes, dribbles or fouls received, caused danger to the opponent.
Watching ‘Pedri’ play is a pleasure and we are in the presence of a footballer who can mark an era. If he manages to improve his verticality, increase his shots on goal and learn to take free kicks and even penalties, we are facing perhaps the best midfielder of the next decade.
