Tag Archives: PEDRO

Pedro Has Changed The Dynamics At Chelsea – Azpilicueta

Posted on by
1

The ex-Barcelona forward is looking forward to a new test at Stamford Bridge after starring on his Blues debut, according to the Premier League champions’ first-choice left-back

New signing Pedro has “changed the dynamics” at Chelsea, says compatriot Cesar Azpilicueta, who has also called upon the Premier League champions to improve their form after a difficult start to the 2015-16 season.

The former Barcelona forward starred on his Blues debut with a goal in Sunday’s 3-2 win at West Brom to help Jose Mourinho’s side to record their first win of the campaign.

Chelsea have four points from a possible nine this term after conceding seven goals and collecting two red cards already but Azpilicueta – who also scored his first league goal in England at the Hawthorns – is confident that his side will be fighting for the title with Pedro.

“It is clear that [Pedro] personally wanted to start a new adventure, another experience,” Azpilicueta toldCadena SER. “Pedro decided to come to a team from a different country and is very happy with a move to Chelsea.

“In a team like Chelsea, [to] get a point from a possible six, no-one is happy. We wanted to change the dynamics. Against West Brom we got three very important points that will give us confidence going to face the next matches and to rectify this bad start.”

Azpilicueta – who initially joined Chelsea as a right-back – faces competition in his current left-back slot from new signing Baba Rahman but is working hard to retain his first-team role.

“From the beginning, Mourinho has shown me his trust and I tried to return it in every practice and every game,” he added. “At the end of the day, all we fight for is to win titles.”

Pedro: I Won’t Be Missed At Barcelona

Posted on by
1

The new Chelsea signing believes Luis Enrique’s squad boasts more than enough quality to cope without him and admits facing them would be difficult

New Chelsea signing Pedro does not believe he will be missed at Barcelona due to his former club’s quality within the team.

The Spain international enjoyed a memorable debut for the Blues when he scored in the 3-2 victory over West Brom after completing his transfer from the European champions last week, having grown tired of a role among the substitutes at Camp Nou.

Speaking at a farewell press conference, the 28-year-old claimed he never thought the time would come to leave Barca but accepts his absence will not be keenly felt.

“At the start it felt strange to wear the Chelsea shirt, because I had never imagined I would leave Barca,” Pedro said.

“I’m going with my head held high. I have always given my best, in every game and every training session. But I’m happy with what I have achieved and everything I have learned from my team-mates.

“I don’t think the team will miss me as there are great players here. I will miss them though, that’s the sad part.”

Pedro lifted five Liga titles and three Champions Leagues in a glittering career at Camp Nou but he was reticent to name a favourite moment.

“There are many [great memories]; it’s hard to single out one. I have shared so many great times with some great players,” he said.

The Tenerife-born forward also underlined that the Barca board were eager for him to stay at the club, before admitting that facing his old team-mates would be an unwelcome feeling.

“The board and the staff at Barcelona insisted that I stay, and for that I thank them,” Pedro added.

“I prefer not to return to the Camp Nou wearing another shirt. It would be strange. But if that’s what destiny holds…”

Van Gaal Defends Woodward After Pedro U-Turn

Posted on by
Reply

Louis van Gaal says he still has complete faith in executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, despite Manchester United having missed out on another key target after Pedro joined Chelsea.

The Old Trafford chief had flown to Barcelona to seal a deal earlier this week but was beaten to the winger’s signature by the Premier League champions, while they also missed out on Manchester City new-boy Nicolas Otamendi and Sergio Ramos, who signed a new contract with Real Madrid.

“No-one should doubt Ed Woodward,” the Dutch coach told reporters, though he refused to go into details of why and how United missed out on Pedro despite a deal seemingly being in place.

“I have the idea you want to separate Ed Woodward with me. Never. Never, because every day I am updated by him and I trust him.”

More to follow…

Luis Enrique: Pedro’s Future In His Own Hands

Posted on by
1

The attacker seems destined to continue his career at Manchester United, but the Barcelona coach has insisted the final decision is all his

 

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has stressed Pedro‘s future is in his own hands as Manchester United remain keen to sign the forward.

Pedro, 28, handed in a transfer request on Tuesday, mere hours before scoring the extra-time winner in Barca’s thrilling 5-4 European Supercup success over Sevilla.

United have already reached an agreement with Barcelona over a transfer fee and now it’s up to the Spain international whether he indeed wants to move to Old Trafford.

“We’ve heard his opinions, it’s a difficult decision that he has to make but we’ll wait and see what he decides,” Luis Enrique said at a press conference.

“He wants to leave because he’s not getting minutes but we want to give him minutes so it’s a difficult situation. I certainly want him to stay.

“I’m looking forward to the end of the transfer market so I’ll know exactly what I do have.

“I don’t want to get drawn into controversies, we all understand Pedro’s situation, he’s always someone the Barca fans will love because of his personality and his performances on the pitch.”

Pedro started Tuesday’s win over Sevilla on the bench, but Luis Enrique has suggested he could return to the starting XI for the Supercopa de Espana game against Athletic Bilbao.

“I haven’t announced my squad and I don’t base my squad around what’s happening in the transfer market. He’s available so he can play.

“He didn’t train for a couple of days because of thigh trouble but I know he’s in a difficult situation.

“He seems the same as ever. He’s always a very hard worker and we know he’s in a particular situation but there’s no change since the start of pre-season.”

Pedro Is A Magician – Mascherano

Posted on by
Reply

The Argentina international hopes that the winger may yet turn his back on a move to Manchester United after making the difference in the Super Cup

 

Javier Mascherano said that Pedro is “a magician” after the attacker’s extra-time goal gave Barcelona a 5-4 win over Sevilla in the Uefa Super Cup on Tuesday.

The Spain attacker is poised to make a £22.3 million move away from Camp Nou to Manchester United in the days ahead but struck a winner in the 115th minute to end a pulsating game in which the Andalucians had fought back from 4-1 down to force an additional period.

Mascherano hopes that Pedro, 28, might yet remain with the Catalans as he is capable of such decisive contributions. 

“Hopefully he can stay here,” the Argentine said after the fixture. “He’s one of those players who’s great on big occasions. He’s been a magician since he joined us. He plays for special moments like this.”

Speaking of the game, Mascherano was not pleased it became as entertaining as it did.

“Neutral fans won’t have seen such a spectacle before,” he stated. “But from our side, we feel some frustration. We had things in our hands but let go of it. We must improve things because we made mistakes that complicated life.

“We fell away and let them into the game. We didn’t control the game when we had to, but we had individual talent that let us win another title.”

‘Van Gaal is DESTROYING Manchester United’ – Hristo Stoichkov

Posted on by
1

Hristo Stoichkov has urged Barcelona winger Pedro against linking up with the “bad person” he says nearly ruined the Catalan club.

Hristo Stoichkov has blasted Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal in an attempt to convince Pedro to remain at Barcelona, claiming that the “mediocre” Dutch coach is now “destroying” the Premier League club in the same way he “destroyed” the Catalan outfit.

The Spain international is poised to move to Old Trafford in search of more regular game time, with his first-team opportunities at Camp Nou having been restricted last season by the sensational form of the Blaugrana’s front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

Pedro is expected to link up with Van Gaal in Manchester after the Supercopa de Espana, with Neymar’s contraction of the mumps leading to Barcelona asking the 28-year-old to delay his £22.3 million transfer in order to provide cover the double header with Athletic Bilbao.

However, Bulgarian icon Stoichkov, a five-time La Liga winner and European Cup champion with Barca who fell out out with Van Gaal in 1998, says that Pedro need only look at the way in which former Blaugrana goalkeeper Victor Valdes has been ostracised at Old Trafford to understand how perilous playing under the Dutchman can be.

“I would never be under the orders of Van Gaal,” the 49-year-old told Spanish radio Onda Cero. “He’s mediocre.

“He destroyed Barca and is destroying Manchester United.

“With what he has done to [Victor] Valdes he has shown he is a bad person. Hopefully Pedro listens to me and doesn’t leave.”

This is not the first time Stoichkov has taken aim at Van Gaal as he blames the ex-Barca boss for his Camp Nou exit 17 years ago, branding his former boss as “scum” in an interview with French newspaper L’Equipein March.

“I have no respect for him,” Stoichkov added.

“One day, when I was injured, I was with my wife at Camp Nou and Van Gaal went up to her.

“He asked her how it was possible that she married someone like me. She responded that I was a Ballon d’Or winner.

“My departure in 1998 was the fault of Van Gaal, for sure.”

Manchester United Target Pedro Can Play For Any Team In The World – Pep Guardiola

Posted on by
1

The 28-year-old Spain international is a target for Louis van Gaal, and the Bayern boss believes the forward would be a success at Old Trafford

Manchester United target Pedro has the ability to play for “any team in the world,” according to Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola.

Pedro, 28, is reportedly being lined up by the Red Devils who have agreed to sell Angel Di Maria to Paris Saint-Germain for £44.5 million, 

Spain international Pedro has been frustrated by a lack of opportunities at Camp Nou and Guardiola – who promoted Pedro from Barcelona’s B side to the first-team squad – is confident the forward will succeed if he moves to Old Trafford.

“Pedro has played millions of games for Barcelona … so that shows the quality he has,” he told reporters.

“He is a world champion; he is a European champion; he has won the Champions League and many league titles.

“There is no doubt about his quality and he has the ability to play in any team in the world.”