Two first-half goals netted by Barcelona star Pedri on the international stage on Saturday will no doubt have brought a smile to the face of new Blaugrana head coach Hansi Flick.
This comes with the 21-year-old having showcased exactly the kind of attacking flair which Flick is understood to be eager to see over the course of the upcoming campaign.
Reports in the media this week have widely pointed towards Pedri as being in line to play an absolutely central role in the plans of Barcelona’s incoming boss.
Flick, it is understood, views the youngster as boasting similar characteristics to Jamal Musiala, a player whom the German tactician afforded importance to during spells overseeing his development at both club and international level.
Pedri, as a result, has been tipped to take his place as the midfield spearhead in Barcelona’s new-look 4-2-3-1 formation.
And, on Saturday, the former Las Palmas prodigy provided Flick with a glimpse into precisely what he is capable of, when taking up such a position.
Afforded a starting berth in Spain’s international friendly meeting with Northern Ireland, Pedri, first, netted a wonderful individual goal.
Picking the ball up from deep, the midfielder drove into the space in front of Northern Ireland’s backline, before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
And, just 15 minutes later, he was back at it again.
On this occasion making use of a perfectly-timed late run into the visitors’ penalty area, Pedri got on the end of Nico Williams’ pull-back from the left, to direct home an unerring first-time finish.
If Hansi Flick required any evidence to back up his plans for Barca’s engine room starlet, on Saturday, he was provided with precisely that…
Conor Laird | GSFN
