Pedri and teammates take part in a training session in Barcelona on October 27, 2023, on the eve of the match against Real Madrid. (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Pedri back in the Barcelona squad for Real Sociedad match
Pedri controls the ball whilst under pressure from Darwin Machis during the match between FC Barcelona and Cadiz CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on August 20, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
After what felt like an eternity, Pedri has received the medical green light and was included in the Barcelona squad list to face Real Sociedad.
Having recovered Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha a week ago, Pedri is the latest Barcelona player to recover from an injury.
The midfielder has been out for nearly three months after sustaining a right thigh injury back in late August. He last played a game for Barcelona on August 20 in a 2-0 win in which he scored.
“Pedri has met the deadlines. He is available, 100 percent. He has trained very well and is ready to play. It’s great news for the team,” Xavi Hernandez said in his pre-match press conference.
Xavi went on to say that Pedri is a fundamental player for his team.
That is evident considering the 20-year-old has the ability to link up play and find spaces few others can. He’s also taken Xavi’s advice to heart and started shooting more, resulting in a few goals.
With both Pedri and Frenkie de Jong missing a significant part of the early chunk of the season, Barcelona have been stretched thin in midfield. Fortunately for the Catalans, Gavi taken another step in his development and been able to take on more responsibility.
While he doesn’t possess the same attributes as Pedri, Gavi has demonstrated he’s much more than just energy and physicality as a midfielder. When De Jong returns, Xavi is going to have a “problem” in deciding which of the youngsters to play from the start.
The only question is how much Xavi decides to rely on him early on. Pedri has been injury-prone in recent seasons. Starting him against Real Sociedad might not be a risk Xavi wants to take. The most likely scenario is playing 15-20 minutes depending on how things are going for Barcelona.
With De Jong and Sergi Roberto the only players still out injured, Barcelona are getting healthy. Four points back of Real Madrid and Girona, Barcelona cannot afford to drop too many more points. Having Pedri back should be an added boost on both sides of the ball.
