Friday, August 20, 2021 at 12:40 PM• Yanick Vos

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman sends Spanish top talent Pedri on holiday for two weeks. The talented midfielder has had a tough season, followed by participation in the European Championship and the Olympic Games. Koeman gives the eighteen-year-old midfielder a rest, he said during the press conference in the run-up to Saturday’s game (10 p.m.) with Athletic Club.

Pedri played in the base under Koeman last season and was used the most of all players: 53 times. His strong debut season at the Camp Nou continued for Pedri with participation in the European Championship, where he conquered a starting place in the Spanish team. After the elimination in the semifinals, Pedri traveled with the Olympic team to Japan, where eventually the final was lost to Brazil. In the 2021/22 season, he eventually made no fewer than 73 official matches for club and country.

Less than a week after the lost final at the Olympic Games, he reported back to the training field in Barcelona. Last weekend he completed the 90 minutes against Real Sociedad. In the 4-2 win, Pedri formed the midfield with Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong. Koeman confirmed at the press conference on Friday that the talent will play in Bilbao on Saturday evening. But then he goes on vacation for two weeks. He has to be fit,” said Koeman, who therefore cannot have Pedri against Getafe on Sunday, August 29.

During the press moment, Koeman also discussed the situation of Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian has been linked for months with a departure from the Camp Nou. He has not played this season and is not in the game selection for Saturday-evening’s game. According to Koeman, Coutinho does have a future at the club. “Philippe is not there because I think he needs another week to train with the group. I’m counting on him because I think he’s a great player. He can be important for Barcelona. I’m really counting on him this season. Coutinho can play in different positions. We lost a lot of goals with Messi leaving and we have to get them from others. Philippe is one of them.”

Unlike Coutinho, Miralem Pjanic and Samuel Umtiti appear to have no future at Barcelona. The midfielder and defender did not play for a minute this season and will not play next weekend. According to Koeman, it will be difficult for them to get playing minutes. “The final decision always rests with the players,” Koeman said. “They are in a complicated position, yes.”