Luis de la Fuente has had a great stint as the manager of the senior Spain national team. He has led La Roja to the European Championship title for the first time since 2012 and made his team play the best brand of football in the tournament.
Throughout the campaign back in the summer, there seemed to be no doubt of any kind on who was the best team in the tournament. This has earned the Spanish tactician significant goodwill, and his team is now focused on the Nations League, with upcoming matches against Denmark and Serbia on the horizon.
One of the players who is a core part of Luis de la Fuente’s team and will represent his nation in the upcoming games is Pedri. As quoted by Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish coach has opened up about the injury challenges he has faced and also labeled him as a ‘special’ player. He said:
“He is one of my project players. The kind of player who debuted with me at a very young age in the U-21 team. He is the type of footballer who catches your attention and is also special. It pains me greatly when talented players suffer injuries and face those inconveniences and setbacks that slow their progress, and Pedri has suffered a lot.”
Luis de la Fuente went on to say that he thinks these initial setbacks will help the 21-year-old Spaniard develop better as his career goes on. He continued:
“But I believe that in the long run, he will realize that this helped him mature, to become a better professional every day, and to be a footballer who will enjoy every moment much more. It will make him an even better footballer and person.”
So far this season, Pedri looks exceptional under Hansi Flick and his fitness seems to have taken a step forward in the right direction. It is safe to say that the 21-year-old is one of the most improved players under the German coach in the Barcelona squad.
The Spanish midfield magician makes the team look so much better when he plays. Not only does he contribute directly to the teams’ success but he also improves all those playing around him, which are signs of a great player in the making.
FC Barcelona fans have been waiting patiently to see the best version of Pedri. For the past couple of seasons, his appearances have been few and far. Even when he has been fit, the 21-year-old did not look confident on the pitch.
It remains to be seen how Pedri’s season pans out from here on. The 21-year-old is one of the biggest talents in European football and let’s hope his injury issues are a thing of the past and that he can continue in a similar vein going forward.
