Last season, Barcelona won an unprecedented treble and they could credit that triumph to the performances of Lionel Messi (58 goals), Luis Suarez (25 goals) and Neymar Junior (39 goals). These were the most fearsome attacking trio in Europe last season and many teams feared the prospect of coming against them. With all three forwards featuring consistently and staying fit most of the time, a forward like Pedro Rodriguez found himself on the fringes and he made a lot of substitute appearances in the course of the season.
Following a rather fruitful 2013/14 campaign that saw Pedro score 19 goals in 54 appearances, Pedro signed a new contract last summer, keeping him at the club till 2019 and he got an extended run-out last season when Suarez was still serving his suspension. There are no claims of Pedro being disgruntled with his peripheral appearances last season but according to the Telegraph, Arsenal has made initial contact with the player’s representatives over a potential deal this summer.
Pedro’s recent contract has a buyout clause of £110 million and I don’t think any football club will be crazy enough to pay such a whooping sum for his services, not even Manchester City but then again, what do I know? It’s never easy for a player to be on the fringes, especially when you used to be a first team regular in your club. That’s how Arsenal signed Petr Cech from their cross-town rivals, Chelsea. The Czech shot stopper has been No. 1 for the best part of a decade, only to see his position become untenable thanks to the new kid on the block, Thibaut Courtois.
Pedro has been in Barcelona since 2007 but he broke into the scene in the 2009/10 campaign, scoring 23 goals in 52 apps helping his club to a La Liga title. In 318 appearances for Barcelona, Pedro has scored a century of goals and at just 27, he has so many more goals left in him. His ambidexterity reminds me of Santi Cazorla and Pedro has excellent technique. He’s a versatile forward that can play on any wing as well as leading the line himself. He’s also an experienced and accomplished international, scoring 16 goals in 51 for Spain.
However, does Arsenal need a Pedro in their lives? I think not.
The fans wanted three signings this summer – a goalkeeper, a defensive midfielder and a striker. Petr Cech is in the bag, there’s still some side talk about Morgan Schneiderlin, William Carvalho and even Arturo Vidal but in the center forward department, I don’t think Pedro fits the bill. He’s a great finisher no doubt and he’d be better suited for the wings, and Arsenal is considerably well stoked in that department. Apparently, Liverpool is also interested in signing Pedro (is there anybody they aren’t interested in?) and he would be a better replacement for Manchester City bound Raheem Sterling.
Pedro would also cost a lot of money – funds that can be channeled into getting better alternatives in other positions.
What are your thoughts?
Sayonara.
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