8 - Pedri

[Andresito]

Saying Riqui Puig is world class as a non-joke is ban worthy imo.

 

[Bobo32]

Closely with a pointer? Guilty as charged.

Reliable? Able to be trusted. Solid? Of a good standard, usually good.

What I mean is these are words often used when a player is a bit invisible but the user still have a positive feel for the player and want to explain why.
I still think it's a bit vague; trusted for what? Good in doing what? He plays as a central midfielder for Barcelona now, getting more minutes than almost anyone. How many times have people not wondered "does Pedri play?" in the match threads lately, even though we all know the answer?

He doesn't make that many clear mistakes with the ball - he plays it safe and when he fails it's usually when he attempts something harder - if that's what you're getting at, I agree. He has the technique to not get caught out a lot.

He is often seen jogging a bit aimlessly, both in offence and defence. He is most often on the move, but mostly just in one speed, can't switch gears as I'd like. When he runs back to cover in a counter you see that and think that he works so well, but I see him being out of position. Often he is continually out of position, needing to run, but running a bit too slow to ever get closer than five steps behind.
Then he still wins the ball a lot, which is very nice, and can be explained by him being very gifted technically, he has some feel for how the ball will bounce and so on, can read a play, and is quicker than he looks a lot of the time. He often does what a goalie does, opens up a space which he then closes faster than the passer thought he could

Apart from intercepting the ball a lot in the game against Georgia (whoscored doesn't show the same large number as Messi983 though...) he also lost the ball about the same amount. But what I take away after glancing the statistics from that game is that he had a lot more touches than usual, almost 90 passes, he is often making about half of that in a game... He found a nicer space than usual in the inner corridor and could play pretty well from there.

 

[Joan]

What I mean is these are words often used when a player is a bit invisible but the user still have a positive feel for the player and want to explain why.
I still think it's a bit vague; trusted for what? Good in doing what? He plays as a central midfielder for Barcelona now, getting more minutes than almost anyone. How many times have people not wondered "does Pedri play?" in the match threads lately, even though we all know the answer?

Sorry, forgot about this one. I'll reply now.

I agree there are many buzzwords used to describe what players bring to the table. Sometimes it's hard to put into words. But don't agree reliable and solid are among them. Reliable simply means always ready to play and be trusted to perform well enough. Solid along similar lines. The oscillations are insignificant, coaches rate that.

Didn't notice people wondering whether Pedri plays or not, unlike Griezmann. But might be just me.

He is often seen jogging a bit aimlessly, both in offence and defence. He is most often on the move, but mostly just in one speed, can't switch gears as I'd like. When he runs back to cover in a counter you see that and think that he works so well, but I see him being out of position. Often he is continually out of position, needing to run, but running a bit too slow to ever get closer than five steps behind.
Then he still wins the ball a lot, which is very nice, and can be explained by him being very gifted technically, he has some feel for how the ball will bounce and so on, can read a play, and is quicker than he looks a lot of the time. He often does what a goalie does, opens up a space which he then closes faster than the passer thought he could

Depends on the role he's assigned in matches. Recently, since the switch, he's playing a bit deeper and is less noticeable in the final phase, but there in the buildup and when defending. Of course, he is sometimes late when the ball's lost. Some of it will come with experience, some not. If you follow him close, you see he's often among the players closest to the opponent with the ball. In that regard, think he moves smarter and anticipates movements better than you give him credit for. The proof of it being his defensive output measurable by basic (tackle + interception), but even better with some modern stats like Opta's balls won. I never agreed with a premise running = being out of position. Depends on the team, team's style, role etc., but also where the counter catches you.

Some fair points here and I hope he improves on them. The lack of gear changes is true. Don't like it either.

Apart from intercepting the ball a lot in the game against Georgia (whoscored doesn't show the same large number as Messi983 though...) he also lost the ball about the same amount. But what I take away after glancing the statistics from that game is that he had a lot more touches than usual, almost 90 passes, he is often making about half of that in a game... He found a nicer space than usual in the inner corridor and could play pretty well from there.

Busquets lost it 12 times yesterday, the same amount as Pedri by the time he was subbed off. Puig lost it 6 times today in 10 minutes, would be 54 in a full match going by that rate. Gotta take that stat with a pinch of salt. Speaking in general, not about Pedri. He did lose if often yesterday. Especially sloppy in the beginning.

 

[Bobo32]

Sorry, forgot about this one. I'll reply now.

I agree there are many buzzwords used to describe what players bring to the table. Sometimes it's hard to put into words. But don't agree reliable and solid are among them. Reliable simply means always ready to play and be trusted to perform well enough. Solid along similar lines. The oscillations are insignificant, coaches rate that.

Didn't notice people wondering whether Pedri plays or not, unlike Griezmann. But might be just me.

I don't have a problem with using these words, just saw them used lazily a lot before. Well I think Koeman has an unshakeable trust in Pedri, I think he has performed well worse than well enough a few times, but Koeman has kept him on and either he has improved or the team has managed to win anyway and then Pedri got to play again the next time... A player getting that trust from the manager often look reliable or solid after a while, not least a midfielder who won't be in too many game defining moments where a mistake will be remembered. Pedri makes under 50 passes per game on average, a bit more lately as a MC, but sometimes he is very little involved, for example I see he made 26 passes in one game against Sevilla, playing 70 minutes...

Depends on the role he's assigned in matches. Recently, since the switch, he's playing a bit deeper and is less noticeable in the final phase, but there in the buildup and when defending. Of course, he is sometimes late when the ball's lost. Some of it will come with experience, some not. If you follow him close, you see he's often among the players closest to the opponent with the ball. In that regard, think he moves smarter and anticipates movements better than you give him credit for. The proof of it being his defensive output measurable by basic (tackle + interception), but even better with some modern stats like Opta's balls won. I never agreed with a premise running = being out of position. Depends on the team, team's style, role etc., but also where the counter catches you.

Some fair points here and I hope he improves on them. The lack of gear changes is true. Don't like it either.

I thought he did fit better as an AMC than as a MC, but that the team as a whole plays better now (because of other reasons).
As I wrote before, I think he overperforms in tackles + interceptions due to him being good in the final moment, he has "long legs" and good reactions and therefore scores on these stats. My eye tells me he is not brilliant in the defensive movements yet, but he is ambitious and keeps moving towards the ball to pressure, although a bit too slowly for my liking a lot of the time, and in the wrong way...
It's a bit subjective, and stats overall can very much be misrepresentative in football. Just as a goal isn't just about the scorer, the anticipation isn't just about the anticipater, which we are all obviously aware. So we judge him a bit differently, fine!

Busquets lost it 12 times yesterday, the same amount as Pedri by the time he was subbed off. Puig lost it 6 times today in 10 minutes, would be 54 in a full match going by that rate. Gotta take that stat with a pinch of salt. Speaking in general, not about Pedri. He did lose if often yesterday. Especially sloppy in the beginning.

Yeah, didn't watch that game so closely, but thought he played a more interesting role than in Barcelona from what I saw.
I did catch him looking a bit slow and unfocused a couple of times when Spain needed to score, but I apologize for bringing up these statistics en passant without being ready to argue - I will not criticize his game yesterday.

I am not negative towards Pedri, I think he is young enough that we might see him evolve a bit. At this moment I think he is a bit overplayed and overhyped and do have a few weaknesses, but he is a very good player overall, especially when he is isolated in duel type situations - I think he'd be great in a 3v3 game for example.

 

[Porque]

Predicted lineup according to Sport

I think that gradually LE is getting towards his best lineup. Maybe just Thiago in for Koke.

Pedri to remain as starter.

 

[Bobo32]

Predicted lineup according to Sport

I think that gradually LE is getting towards his best lineup. Maybe just Thiago in for Koke.

Pedri to remain as starter.

Sport wasn't very correct last game right, but it would be nice to see this, especially with Thiago as you wrote.

 

[Porque]

Agreed.

Marca predict the following.

Unai Sim?n; Marcos Llorente, Eric Garc?a, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba; Pedri, Koke, Canales; Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo y Gerard Moreno.

Same except for bolded.

 

[Joan]

I am not negative towards Pedri, I think he is young enough that we might see him evolve a bit. At this moment I think he is a bit overplayed and overhyped and do have a few weaknesses, but he is a very good player overall, especially when he is isolated in duel type situations - I think he'd be great in a 3v3 game for example.

Good post. I agree with most points so won't go any further.

About this last paragraph. I'm not against using stats or arguing based on them, but that particular stat can be tricky. More of a general remark than anything.

 

[Porque]

Starts.

 

[serghei]

In before Koeman starts him in the Valladolid game and he's dead on his feet for the Clasico.

 

[Porque]

Maybe his fitness levels are not analytically depleting. Just his game is maturing?

I recall watching a 16 year old Toni Kroos. He was running around so much you could call him Riqui de Jong.

 

[JamDav1982]

Since played Huesca on 15th of March he came off with over 20 mins to go v Sociedad, didnt start for Spain then started twice in a row for Spain.

More or less x3 90 mins in 21 days leading up to Vallodolid game and then five days rest after it until Real.

Dont think his legs should quite be hanging off after that.

 

[mc_lovin]

I am much more worried about rhythm than tiredness. And I don't believe throwing some rest 5 days before the Clasico helps much either - long term its another issue.

 

[fergus90]

I actually think he improves as the game goes on in terms of sharpness. Plus positionally he's usually so clever that he doesn't real need to make many lung busting runs to recover his position.

 

[Porque]

If Olmo passed to Pedri instead of shooting, who do you think Pedri would of backheeled it to?

Edit: Pedri assist