Barcelona’s Pedro Rodriguez, who looked set to join Manchester United after agreeing personal terms with the club on Tuesday, seems to have changed his mind to move to Chelsea FC.
According to a report, Cecs Fabregas, Victor Valdes, Jose Mourinho were the elements that came to play when the Spanish winger decided to move to the pensioners.
The question of how Chelsea were able to pull of another coup just like they did in 2013 when they signed Willian from Shaktar Donestk despite the Brazilian having completed a medical with Tottenham, will continue to linger.
Pedro is a winger who can play on the wings (left/right) with ease due to his ability to use both feet easily, speed, movement and intelligence on the field of play.
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The winger was always going to be left out due to the signings of Luis Suarez and Neymar but the contributions of the lad to Barcelona’s success since his introduction to the team in 2009 cannot be overstated. That year he became the first play in history to score in six different competitions in a calendar year as Barcelona won the treble before June and the UEFA and Spanish Supercups and Club World Cup by December.
The winger would have benefited Manchester United much more than Chelsea and its simple to see why. Pedro’s flexibility and tactical intelligence would allow fix into Van Gaals system easily.
Manchester United play a passing game under Van Gaal. Pedro has been taught the nicks of the tiki-taka passing game in Barcelona and it would not be a problem for the winger.
Just like Manchester United did last season by refusing to pursue a move for Cesc Fabregas, who later joined Chelsea, Manchester United are making the mistake of not chasing a proven goalscorer and adaptable professional.
Despite his limited starts last season (27), Pedro still found time to score fourteen goals which is commendable given the unshakable form of Suarez, Messi and Neymar.
Wayne Rooney has been poor this new season is in need of goals to build confidence. In Alex ferguson’s last year as Man U boss, he claimed Rooney might not be able to play into his thirties due to his weight and fitness issues and it seems the Scot was right.
Rooney looks off pace and despite the obvious desire to be involved in his team’s game play, the striker does not put fear into defenders like he used to.
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Man U could do with Pedro to suit their tactics. The winger would be an obvious option on the right while Depay contains the left flant. This would push the team’s best no. 1o, Juan Mata into his favorite role in the centre away from the right wing his has made his own.
Manchester United do not have a player confident of a 30-goal season aside Depay who did it in the inferior Dutch league last season. Pedro scores one goal every three games and his record even at international level is enviable. The winger has all the tools necessary to be a success at Man Utd but now the red devils turn their attentions to an inferior player in Saido Mane of Southampton.
The other options to play in the centre forward position for Manchester United are Javier Hernandez (Chicharito) and James Wilson. Those two like Rooney cannot stand up to the elite opposition defense and Manchester United might rue their decision to miss out on Pedro.
–naij.com
