Xavi claims Pedri is best midfielder in the world

Xavi has claimed that Barcelona midfielder Pedri is already the best player in the world in his position.

The Spain international again caught the eye during his side's 4-1 victory over Valencia on Sunday, coming on as a substitute and scoring a terrific goal. Or so he thought. His fine strike would in fact be awarded to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the game courtesy of a slight deflection.

This did not stop his manager lavishing Pedri with praise at full time, though: "there is no player in the world with as much talent as Pedri - and he is only 19", he said.

"He is absolutely superlative. How he turns, his understanding of space and time and the fact he uses both feet. It is amazing to have him in the team and we must take care of him.

"He came on for half an hour and was important. He makes the difference: in how we play, in the box... he wins balls back. We demanded he shoot more and now he has three goals [since coming back from injury].

"Look, he's not a normal player. There are very few like him. Perhaps, at his age, he is already the best in the world in his position."

After an injury-ravaged start to the campaign Pedri has been back in the first team of late and he will likely start against Napoli in the Europa League on Thursday. The match is a big one for La Blaugrana after the first leg of the pair's last-16 tie ended 1-1.

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