Barcelona is known for producing some of the best football players in the world. One such player was Pedro Rodriguez, who was a key player in Barcelona’s golden era.
However, Barcelona decided to sell Pedro to Chelsea in 2015. This decision raised many eyebrows and left fans wondering why the club would let go of such a valuable player. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind Barcelona’s decision to sell Pedro.
Background
Pedro Rodriguez was born on July 28, 1987, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. He joined Barcelona’s youth academy at the age of 17 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a first-team regular. Pedro played for Barcelona for eight seasons and won numerous titles with the club, including five La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies.
The Arrival of Luis Suarez
One of the main reasons behind Barcelona’s decision to sell Pedro was the arrival of Luis Suarez in 2014. Suarez had just come off an incredible season with Liverpool, where he scored 31 goals in the Premier League. His arrival at Barcelona meant that he would join Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. to form one of football’s deadliest attacking trios.
With Suarez in the team, Pedro found it hard to get game time. He started only 15 games in La Liga that season and scored just six goals. This lack of playing time was frustrating for Pedro, who was used to playing a more prominent role in the team.
Desire for More Playing Time
Pedro is a player who thrives on confidence and regular game time. With Suarez now part of the team, it became clear that Pedro would not get as much playing time as he desired. He wanted to be part of Spain’s national team for Euro 2016 and knew that he needed regular game time to secure his spot.
Pedro’s desire for more playing time was the main reason he asked Barcelona to let him go. He wanted to join a team where he would be a regular starter and could showcase his skills on a consistent basis.
The Arrival of Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal
Another reason why Barcelona sold Pedro was the arrival of Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal. Both players were signed in the summer of 2015 but were unable to play until January 2016 due to Barcelona’s transfer ban.
With these two players joining the team, it became clear that Pedro would fall further down the pecking order. Barcelona had too many attacking options, and it made sense to let go of a player who was not in their plans for the future.
The Need for Funds
Finally, Barcelona needed funds to finance their transfer activities. The club had just signed Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Thomas Vermaelen in 2014. They needed money to sign more players and strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
Pedro was sold to Chelsea for €27 million, which helped Barcelona finance their transfers in 2015. The club used this money to sign players like Arda Turan, Aleix Vidal, and Paulinho.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there were several reasons why Barcelona decided to sell Pedro. The arrival of Luis Suarez limited his playing time, while his desire for more game time meant that he wanted to leave the club. Additionally, with Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal joining the team and the need for funds to finance transfers, it made sense for Barcelona to sell Pedro.
While fans were disappointed with the decision at first, they eventually came around when they saw how well Pedro performed at Chelsea. In his first season at Chelsea, Pedro won the Premier League and the League Cup. He was also a key player for Spain at Euro 2016, where they reached the round of 16.