Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente has moved to throw his full backing behind Barcelona star Pedri.
This comes courtesy of the assurance that the 23-year-old cannot be blamed for performing in a different manner for club and country.
Midfielder Pedri of course grabbed the headlines across Spain last week. Long considered one of the first names on the team sheet for La Roja, the former Las Palmas talent was dropped to the bench for his nation’s World Cup quarter-final showdown with Belgium.
Pedri has come under increasing scrutiny across the summer to date, for the level of his performances in the colours of his nation.
As alluded to above, though, one individual of the opinion that such criticism is largely unjustified is Spain’s headmaster, Luis de la Fuente.
Drawn on Pedri’s form during an appearance in front of the media ahead of a World Cup semi-final clash with red-hot France on Tuesday, De la Fuente assured:
“Pedri can’t play like he does for Barça, because we play differently. We have similarities, but it’s not the same. We don’t have the same players either. We have Rodri, so of course his partner in midfield is different. For me, Pedri could play as a 6, 8, or 10.”
Conor Laird – GSFN
