After getting the complete list of Kopa Award nominees, we are here to tell you that Pedri pretty much has the 2021 trophy in the bag.
The Kopa Award is given every year to the best young player in the world and Pedri has it locked for a win. Alongside the Canary Islands’ native, we have Bukayo Saka, Jeremy Doku, Mason Greenwood, Giovani Reyna, Jude Bellingham, Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, and Nuno Mendes. Out of this list of 10 nominees, Pedri is the one who hands down had the better year. Breaking into the FC Barcelona senior squad alongside a mentor like Leo Messi, helped Pedri develop himself enough to become a crucial part of Spain at the Euros.
He was arguably the best player inside Luis Enrique’s squad that reached the tournament’s semifinal. As Pedri goes into his second year with the Catalan club, he is an already established player who can even be considered a regular for club or country. What boggles the mind is that Pedri plays like a veteran and he is only 18. Due to his impressive level of performance, age is just a number for the Spain international. No other player from this list of nominees has the same chances to win this award. Also, Pedri is nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
Can Pedri lead Barcelona to the new era?
Out of all the young FC Barcelona players who are coming up, Pedri is definitely the most important of the bunch. Many would give Ansu Fati the responsibility to score most of the goals but Pedri is the one who should keep the balance. As long as he is fit to play his position and doesn’t get restricted, he can become the leader at the club. Last season was absolutely draining for Pedri with 70+ matches throughout the entire season.
Despite his young age, any player needs his rest in order to avoid injuries and play at the full extent of his skills. Pedri will be no different than the rest. Managers who coach him this season need to understand that they need to reserve him in matches that are not as important. FC Barcelona has many great midfielders within the squad, they can have the luxury of giving Pedri some rest. We’ll likely get to see him picking up this Kopa Award without any opposition by the end of the year.
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