Andres Iniesta discusses Pedri's prospects at Barcelona
By Tom Gott
Barcelona great Andres Iniesta has confessed that he can see midfielder Pedri growing into one of the club's all-time greats if he continues to develop.
A €5m signing from Las Palmas in 2019, Pedri moved to Camp Nou the following summer and has quickly become one of Ronald Koeman's most important players, making 36 appearances in all competitions thus far.
The hype around Pedri has been enormous ever since he made his debut for Las Palmas as a 16-year-old, and Iniesta confessed during a media event that he has enjoyed watching the teenager strut his stuff at Camp Nou.
"It's clear to everyone that Pedri has incredible potential," he said at a La Liga event where he also reflected on the 10 key moments of his football career.
"I think he's in the right place for his development and where he can continue to grow. I wish him the best.
"The key for him is to stay calm and that people give him the space he needs. He's young and has his whole career ahead of him. I'm sure that he'll do things well. I think he's a kid doing things the right way and who knows what he has to do.
"When he steps out onto the pitch and looks so comfortable on the ball, he doesn't look 17 years old. That's so important and I hope he continues to grow. I'm sure he has a great future ahead at Barcelona."
Few people understand what it takes to be a successful midfielder at Barcelona better than Iniesta, who made 674 appearances for La Blaugrana in a glittering 16-year career which yielded no fewer than nine La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.
Pedri has a long way to go before he comes anywhere close to matching that legacy, but his performances have left plenty of fans drooling over what has the potential to be an outstanding career for the club.
Another Barcelona starlet coming through the ranks...
— 90min (@90min_Football) November 5, 2020
Who is Pedri?! ? pic.twitter.com/IkGhv9N800
“From what I have seen of him, he is an example of how someone should handle being very good at this age," Koeman said (via Marca) back in December.
“As a coach, we give him opportunities and advice, but he is a boy who comes from a very humble family and he knows what should be doing to improve and what should he not think that he is already there. He has a great future, but he must continue working.”