Pedri talks Flick, Koeman, injuries, contract renewal, title ambitions – ‘This is my best season’ | OneFootball

Following his contract renewal with Barcelona until the summer of 2030, Pedri recently granted an extensive interview on Barça One.

During the chat, the 22-year-old discussed his great form this season, his desire to win titles, and his role as the captain.

Kicking things off by addressing his new contract, Pedri stated: “The club wanted it, I wanted it, it was easy for it to happen, everyone came to an agreement quickly.”

Pedri is going through the best period of his career at Barcelona, with injuries a thing of the past.

“It’s been a while since I felt like this, I’ve always wanted to feel like I do now and I’m enjoying it,” he acknowledged.

Citing some of the key factors behind his current condition, Pedri gave credit to manager Hansi Flick for filling him with confidence.

“For a player, confidence is very important, and Flick gives you that. He trusts you to do what you know how to do, and the issue of injuries is in the past,” he said.

The Spaniard also credited the new-look fitness department this season for his better fitness condition, explaining:

“The people who came to work in the gym have helped me a lot with what is best for my body. And often, I prefer to keep up with the competition rhythm rather than stopping suddenly and not playing for two weeks.

“I’ve had that continuity and I’m enjoying it. Their way of training works much better for me, we’ve found the right formula with the physios and trainers.”

Injuries no longer a problem for Pedri. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Pedri then admitted that when he was plagued by injuries, comments from the outside affected him, as he said:

“You try to isolate yourself from what is said, but even if you don’t hear it, others tell you, like if you’re going out partying or not putting in effort at the gym…

“It’s a lie, you can’t pay attention to it, but it still affects you. I train the same way, I’ve changed the method, but not the time I dedicate.”

The midfield superstar also touched upon how difficult it was to break out of the continuous injury cycle, noting:

“When you’re stuck in that loop, it’s hard to get out, but I’m managing to do it. When you relapse with injuries, it’s difficult because you don’t know what to touch, what to do, what’s wrong in your life. It has been a process from which I’ve learned a lot.”

Reflecting on his excellent campaign so far, Pedri remarked: “So far, this is the best season at Barça, along with the first one, but it needs to be reflected in titles. This is the one where I feel most comfortable.

“Without this one, the first would be the best, everything was new and I adapted very quickly. The worst was the second one, because I kept coming out of one injury and into another.”

The 22-year-old also shared a story from his early days at Barça, stating: “I didn’t even expect to have a number when I came. At first, I was staying in a hotel with my brother, I told him that my training went well, hoping I could stay, and Koeman told me that I could.”

Now, at just 22, he is considered a “veteran” at the club and is one of the captains. Discussing that, he noted:

“I’m worn out… There are a lot of young players, but for the time I’ve been at the club, I can be one of the veterans, not by age, but I do feel that I have weight in the dressing room, that I’m important. Although in this dressing room, we can’t be too serious…

“It’s about having fun both on and off the pitch, always smiling, and that translates to our playing. I think people enjoy it, we enjoy it, and people like to see a spectacle. If we win, even better. But after the Atletico game, they left happy with the way we played.”

Thriving under Hansi Flick. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Asked about his most memorable games, he mentioned, “For a special match, I have to say my debut, it was the most exciting. This season, the Spanish Super Cup final. And also playing very well personally, against Atletico.”

Outlining his ambitions for the future with Barcelona, he added: “I think the future will be good, there’s a great team. Personally, I want to enjoy football and win titles. Playing like this, we’re on the right path to win titles.

We’ve won one, the Super Cup, and we’re still alive in all competitions, so why not go for them all? Lifting a trophy as captain? I hope so. It’s an honour to have worn the armband a few times.”

On his ambitions of winning the UEFA Champions League, he said: “Dreaming is free. In previous years, big games didn’t go well for us, but now it’s the opposite, we’re winning them and standing tall. Same goes for the league.

“People criticise you when you lose two or three games… We caused a bit of a stir, but there are still many games left, and if we win them all, we’ll be champions.”