Kroos: Pedri ‘more important’ than Yamal, Lewandowski
Former Real Madrid player Toni Kroos said Barcelona’s Pedri is more important to his team than Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha.
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Pedri more important than Yamal, Lewandowski
Yamal, Lewandowski, and Raphinha have combined for 86 goals across all competitions this season, keeping Barca in the hunt for a treble as the season enters its final weeks.
However, the retired midfielder believes Pedri is the key to the success Barca is experiencing.
“For me, a player like Pedri is more important than Lamine Yamal, Raphinha or Lewandowski,” the ex-Germany international said on his podcast, Einfach mal Luppen.
“They may decide the results of matches, but to do that, Pedri is currently the best player in the world in his position.”
“He’s a player you will miss when he’s not playing, whoever you are playing against. He doesn’t just score goals or provide assists, he offers solutions.”
Best midfielder
Pedri, 22, seems to have put the injury troubles of recent seasons behind him.
He has made 54 appearances this season, scoring six goals and providing seven assists.
“I have been watching what Pedri is doing this season,” Kroos added. “In the Champions League, he’s better than his opponents in every game.”
“In LaLiga, the difference [between him and his opponents] is only more extreme. If you lose a player like him, you will notice. He’s the best.”
“He’s one of the few midfielders in his position that has the ability to beat dribble past players when there is no space. A player like Pedri helps you in every area of the game.”
Kroos remembers how difficult it was to stop Pedri when he was still playing in the fixture.
“I experienced it myself, once especially,” he continued. “He demolished us [Madrid] at home. Once or twice I thought I could get to him, because he doesn’t look so quick, but he dribbles so well and I couldn’t even stop him with a foul.
“He’s not like Messi, whose speed of movement you see. Pedri doesn’t seem so quick, but he really is.”
