The name of Bernardo Silva is once again floating around Barça’s transfer market. My intention is by no means to deny the Portuguese star’s quality or his successful career. Neither do I doubt that he still has years of top-level football ahead. When Barça signed Pjanić or Gündoğan, I had similar thoughts.
All of them were players with an enviable résumé arriving in the final stretch of their careers to occupy a very specific position. I have always argued that Barça should not sign midfielders except in very special cases, like Pedri.
Why do I believe Barça should not reinforce this position? There is an obvious reason: La Masia. If there is one thing Barça’s academy excels at, it is the constant production of midfielders ideal for executing the genuine style practiced at the club. In the first team, Gavi, Casadó, Bernal, Fermín, and Olmo are good examples, and Tommy Marqués is increasingly integrated into Flick’s squad.
Beyond them, there are players like Nico González (Manchester City), Xavi Simons (Tottenham), or Dro (PSG), all trained at La Masia, who could easily be in the first team. And in Barça Atlètic, there are others like Guille, Toni, or Brian Fariñas who could get opportunities.
Gavi arrived in time to join Pedri and celebrate the La Liga title / AFP7 via Europa Press
Still, I understand Barça fans and analysts who miss another player with a profile similar to Pedri—someone who can give the Canary Islander a rest or replace him when he is unavailable. I see this creative, organizing interior role fully embodied in Pedro Rodríguez Iglesias. This 18-year-old Andalusian has barely featured this season for Barça Atlètic, but he has completed a magnificent campaign with Pol Planas’ Juvenil A side. He is an interior or central midfielder who does not lose balls, distributes them intelligently, is strong in duels, and stands out for his imposing arrival in the box. Most importantly, Pedro controls matches at will.
Last season, he was more trusted by Belletti than Dro—a player who sometimes starts for a giant like PSG. If Flick bets on him, as he did two seasons ago with Casadó and Bernal, I am convinced the result will be similar.
Pedro Rodríguez celebrates his goal with Shane Kluivert / Gorka Urresola
Back then, the club yearned for a physical pivot that never arrived due to financial constraints, which allowed both Bernal and Casadó to shine. If Casadó is transferred, Tommy Marqués could be his natural replacement. Barça needs top-tier reinforcements up front, and that is where all available financial resources should be directed.
If Barça seeks a player with Pedri’s profile, I understand the temptation to sign a proven star like Bernardo Silva. But I recall that before Fermín’s breakout, Lo Celso was considered to strengthen the midfield. Time has shown that betting on Fermín was spectacular. If Barça had the money to sign Lo Celso, where would Fermín be? Certainly not at Barça. We must learn from such examples.
If for some reason Pedro Rodríguez does not convince Flick, Orian Goren is another La Masia gem with these characteristics.
One does not need to be a prestigious historian to know that the best midfielders who interpret the style that culés love always grow and stand out at Barça’s academy. Bet on Pedro Rodríguez and you won’t be wrong.
