Pedri is one of the world’s best midfielders, even at the young age of just 21. The Barcelona gem has been crucial to them over the last couple of years but has recently faced fitness issues, which have also impacted the team’s performances lately.
Not just his injury, but when the Spaniard has played, he has not gotten a lot of assists due to the underperformances of his team’s attackers. Barcelona’s financial situation also makes any reinforcements in January a bleak idea, though Vitor Roque’s early arrival is a boost.
Pedri wants Erling Haaland at Barcelona
Pedri is currently injured and is not training with the team, so he joined famed Spanish Twitch streamer Ibai Llanos’ channel. There, the pair talked about a number of topics, and at one point, Ibai asked the midfielder which current player he would want his club to potentially sign.
The former Golden Boy winner replied without any hesitation and picked Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland. His exact words were, “Haaland. The guy is a cyborg. He scores so many goals.”
Haaland has been in terrific form for City since joining them last season. He has scored an astonishing 71 goals in 75 games, and helped his side win their maiden Champions League trophy, as part of a historic treble win. He finished second in the 2023 Ballon d’Or rankings, losing out to Barcelona great Lionel Messi. He is also the top scorer in the Premier League currently.
There is no doubt the Norwegian is one of the best players currently, and even Pedri knows that a player like him is desperately needed at Barcelona. Robert Lewandowski has not been the player everyone knows him to be, as he has struggled to score goals this season.
When asked if Haaland’s arrival would cause Lewandowski to play less, Pedri even said, “Haaland is much younger and Lewandowski unfortunately won’t play until he is 60.” However, there is no chance of Haaland leaving for Barcelona with their dire financial situation, though rivals Real Madrid could potentially get him.
When will Pedri return from injury?
There is no doubt that Barcelona are suffering from the absence of Pedri, who has been out of the pitch regularly this season. He is already expected to miss the next La Liga match against Las Palmas on Friday. There is no specified return date for the player, but could take to the field at the end of the month at the earliest.
He himself clarified that he doesn’t know when he would be back on the pitch, “I don’t know when I will be back. There is no date marked down, but I hope to return soon.”
Pedri has seen himself injury-ridden a lot of times since his debut season with the Catalans in 2020-21. But after that, he has missed more than 60 games for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team. The midfielder also said that he is working on this issue, and has changed his diet and exercise regime to help minimize his injury risks.
Pedri will have to watch on from the sidelines as Barcelona take on Las Palmas in La Liga on Friday as they hope to regain their form.
