Pedri, standard bearer of the Spain of Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique praised Pedri and compared him with Iniesta. “What I have seen make Pedri with 18 years I have not seen it make to nobody with his age, not even don Andrés Iniesta“A compliment of biblical proportions for a exalted player, but the Eurocup is over without perform a single shot on goal nor give a single goal pass. Iniesta, meanwhile, is still the second best assistant in the history of the National Team, ahead of Silva and behind Xavi, and although he never stood out as a scorer, he was the one who scored the winning goal in the only World that Spain has won, in South Africa 2010.

But Luis Enrique sees in Pedri the standard bearer of the new generation. To begin with, the culé midfielder has been together with Laporte Y Unai Simon, the only one who has played it all. He stopped playing a single minute in the game against Switzerland. He has been a starter in all six. He is a footballer who play and play, but that to be really harmful it needs to do what it does twenty meters ahead. At only 18 years old, yes, he has shown maturity and one physical ability portentous. It has gotten six matches, with three consecutive extensions, between chest and back in 28 days and he has finished them all at a gallop. A machine.

The selector Asturian was full of praise for Pedri after being eliminated by Italy. Also highlighted Dani Olmo, and also cited Busquets. Just remembered an absentee, Ansu Fati. “With Ansu we will be stronger and better,” he said. When Carvajal, who has also missed this Eurocup due to injury, was summoned, he was not so forceful and recalled the great tournament that Azpilicueta has done, which today will celebrate San Fermín in his city, Pamplona.

From Luis Enrique's praises of Pedri, the conclusion what the technician wants build the future around the midfielder From Barcelona. But the comparison with Iniesta turned out exaggerated, at least for some of us who have lived through Iniesta's twelve years with the national team. Pedri is good, very good. But it is not Iniesta. At least it is not yet. You can improve your scoring ability, although it won't be easy. But it will cost you more to become a last pass master. That you have or you don't have. Iniesta had it from day one and Pedri has yet to be seen. “Iniesta does not win Ballons d'Or, Iniesta manufactures them“Toni Grande said about him one day. Well, that's it.