As back-ups go, regular Spain international, four-time League title winner, two-time Champions League winner and a world and European champion with his country Pedro Rodriguez isn’t a bad one to have. He’s a player who would walk into the first XIs of many of Europe’s most prestigious teams, evidenced by reports of interest in his services, and that it takes a trio the calibre of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar to keep him out at Camp Nou speaks to his quality.
Pedro was called into the match against La Real with less than 10 minutes to play. Barca were leading through a Neymar goal and Real Sociedad, though as dogged as any David Moyes team, weren’t really threatening the advantage. Pedro was brought on to give him a run out, as much as anything, and to keep the Basques on their toes. But when the ball sat up nicely, 12 yards from Geronimo Rulli’s goal, with five minutes to play, he did more than that – he leapt into the air, threw his body backwards and scored an astonishing overhead kick. As reminders of talent go, this was a big one.
Luis Enrique said after the match that he knows he can rely on Pedro, and that he deserves more game time than he has received this season. The desire to get Pedro into the team has even led to suggestions he could be Dani Alves’ replacement at right-back, more a flight of fancy than a legitimate possibility. But while Enrique made clear how highly he values Pedro, the club itself perhaps doesn’t, and they may well rue their stance if he does indeed depart this summer.
Real Madrid made the mistake of losing a sterling second string player last summer, letting Alvaro Morata go to Juventus after he failed to get the minutes to keep him happy. Karim Benzema was and remains Carlo Ancelotti’s first choice striker and though it is hard to argue with the France international’s record, Ancelotti could have found a way to keep Morata happy – at least keep him at Santiago Bernabeu. And without Morata, Madrid were forced to rely on Javier Hernandez, when Benzema was hit by injury – Hernandez having taken months to settle in Madrid and only recently found some form.
Barca can’t rely on Suarez, Neymar and Messi in every match of what next year will be another gruelling campaign. Nor can they put too much pressure on Sandro Ramirez, Mounir El Haddadi or Adama Traore, Barca B youngsters who have had a taste of the first team. And Barca are still subject to a transfer embargo, so if Pedro does leave, he won’t be replaced. He may not be Enrique’s first choice but keeping him content should be high on Barca’s list of priorities.
