A head-turning statistic surrounding the off-ball exploits of Barcelona star Pedri has come to the fore online this week. And it serves in highlighting one of the more underappreciated aspects of the midfielder’s game.
Pedri is for his part fresh off a predictably impressive opening to the new campaign. Continuing to play a leading role in the engine room ranks of Hansi Flick, the 23-year-old has featured from the off in seven of Barca’s eight fixtures between La Liga and the Champions League.
Along the way, Pedri has continued to shine on the ball, weaving through challenges and breaking the lines courtesy of pinpoint passes.
But as alluded to above, it is an entirely different aspect of his game which has this week been revealed as the very best in Spanish football at present.
As revealed by statisticians Squawka, Pedri has won back possession for his side more times than any other player in La Liga to this point in the new season.
All told, the World Cup winner has secured possession for Flick’s Blaugrana on 44 occasions.
Conor Laird – GSFN
