Barcelona have been hit with a significant blow as Pedri is set to be sidelined for over a month with an injury.
That’s according to SPORT, who have revealed that the midfielder has picked up a quadriceps injury in training, and is expected to be out for around six weeks.
It is a huge blow for both Xavi and Pedri, particularly given the 20-year-old’s excellent form at the start of this season. The Spain international opened the scoring with a late strike against Cadiz last week, and Xavi had been counting on him to play in an inverted winger midfield role alongside Frenkie De Jong, Oriol Romeu and Ilkay Gundogan.
The report claims he will miss around six weeks of action, meaning he will be unavailable for the games against Villarreal, Osasuna, Real Betis, Celta Vigo and Mallorca as a minimum, whilst also potentially missing Champions League and international ties.
How can Xavi replace Pedri?
After missing the first match, Gavi came in for the suspended Raphinha, alongside Pedri as Barcelona switched to a back three formation.
With Raphinha now available after his two-match ban, Xavi can revert to his previous shape, with Gavi taking Pedri’s place as an inverted midfielder on the left, with Raphinha on the right wing.
There is also the option of bringing in another winger for Pedri, with Ferran Torres, Abde Ezzalzouli and Ansu Fati available, and it remains to be seen whether Xavi will risk losing further control in midfield by taking a man out and losing Pedri’s security on the ball.
Xavi once described Pedri as “decisive,” and his goal last week showed that he is a key player for the big moments. Whilst there is strong depth in the team now, he will be sorely missed, and the club will hope that he can return before too long.