Chelsea Transfer News 2015: Barcelona's Pedro to Join Jose Mourinho?
The arrival of Arda Turan will undoubtedly make Andres Iniesta wonder about his role in the 2015-16 squad. But if there is one player that the news likely proved too much to bear, it was Pedro.
The Spaniard was once a fixture of Barcelona's attack, often drifting in from a wing to provide attacking support to Lionel Messi.
Those were the days, as far back as 2010 and 2011.
Fast forward a few years and Pedro is a bench player. The problem is that he is actually a rather solid bench player with a lot left to provide for any team. In this past season, he played a grand total of 1531 minutes in the Spanish League (his lowest total since 2011-12 when he managed 1653) but still put up a solid six goals and six assists; in 2011-12 he only managed five goals and five assists. That season he also started 20 games; this year he was in the starting lineup on 15 occasions, the lowest number in his Barcelona career.
There are few indications that Pedro is on the decline and, at 27, it would be hard to make that argument. Yet he is unlikely to be a starter for Barcelona anytime soon with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar fixed as the team's starting attackers.
Pedro despite scoring 15 goals and eight assists in the trophiless 2013-14 campaign is almost an afterthought.
Most teams are noticing this and it seems that he has his share of suitors.
Chelsea seems to be the most likely destination at this point, allowing him a chance to play alongside Spanish national teammates Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas. However, it is unknown whether he will be a starter for the Blues. With Willian and Eden Hazard untouchable behind Costa, Pedro might find that his opportunities to play in England might be as limited as they are in Spain. He also has to worry about playing behind Juan Cuadrado and must also consider the fact that England offers more physical soccer.
It will be interesting to see what comes of Pedro and whether he accepts a role as a Barcelona bench player or looks to win back a starting spot in the prime of his career.
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