LOL.
I guess when he came on, you saw the difference?
Itβs so funny you lot underrate Pedriβs physicality, did you see how he bullied Saka off the ball? Did you see how many balls he won?
Your definition of physicality is sliding tackles and gbau gbau, you can be physically smart, you donβt have to commit.
Iβll read Pedriβs stats again for people like you who have no idea.
In 24/25 season, Pedri had the most recoveries for any outfield player in the whole of La Liga, and was also number 1 when it came to passes into the final third.
This same season, he had the most ball recoveries in the whole of Europe's top 5 leagues, only Caicedo came close. Not physicalπ
In 25/26, Pedri had the highest average ball recoveries in all of the league amongst u23 midfielders and 2nd overall in the midfield category, he also has a 90% tackle rate.
When you talk of covering grounds, in 24/25, he covered 385km, he was 6th overall in the league.
He moves like a jelly fish, so bro thinks Pedri isnβt physical, because he does not tackle like Casemiro π
He is very effective. He can tackle, he just doesnβt have to do it the way you want, and he can recover balls well. Heβs just smart.
There are only few people in the world that are better than him when it comes to being press resistant. Ask Newcastle players, the Joelintons and Tonalis, oh fuck, they are not physical.
Letβs address why he was benched. De La Fuente is a very pragmatic coach, heβs not a coach that shy away from making changes.
Before I move on, Pedri played every game that won them the Euros before getting injured.
Started against Croatia (first game at the Euros), started against Italy, oh both teams ainβt physical. Rested against Albania as Spain had qualified.
He started against Georgia in the knockout phases, started against Germany before he got injured in that game. Those teams ainβt physical.
At the World Cup:
Pedri against Cape Verde - 90mins played
Pedri against Saudi - 70mins played
Pedri against Uruguay - 60mins played
Pedri against Austria - 89mins played
Pedri against Portugal - 85mins played
I assure you Mr Gemini, Pedri doesnβt face physical teams, a statement that a football head should never make.
De La Fuente played Fabian Ruiz and he did well, he kept Fabian Ruiz in the team because of that. This is absolutely normal. I love DLF for that, nobody is indispensable. If a player performs better, play him. After the first game they drew Cape Verde, poor game. Next game, Gavi went to the bench, Porro also came in, he made like 3 changes. I stan a coach like that.
Even after Pedri started coming on as a sub;
Pedri against Belgium - 35mins played
Pedri against France - 12mins played
Pedri against Argentina - 58mins played
Educate yourself before coming online to type these things. The day Fabian Ruiz stops performing, DLF will bench him.
By the way, let me know your thoughts when Pedri came on, you have the mic Mr physicalπ€
Pedri has been benched for Ruiz yet again. Truth is , against a very physical midfield, you canβt rely on Pedri. Thatβs why I said our best pivot against a very strong midfield is Frenkie and Rodri. Itβs sad but true