Barcelona star Pedri softens stance on Xavi criticism – ‘I only said’

Barcelona midfielder Pedri Gonzalez has taken public action to soften perceived criticism from former manager Xavi Hernandez following accusations that the Blaugrana did not work hard enough under him. The pair reportedly had a strained relationship towards the end of Xavi's tenure.

After a transcendent performance against Brest on Tuesday evening, Pedri spoke to the press in the mix zone after the match. The Canary Islander turned just 22 this week, despite appearing on the field as a veteran.

“We do other work in the gym, I don't want to say we haven't worked, as has been said. “It's a lie that I said we didn't work with Xavi Hernandez,” he told Sport.

“It's simply that we work in a different way, in a way that works much better for me personally. I have noticed that the way of training with rubber bands and other things suits me better.”

Ahead of the Brest match, it was reported that Pedri's agents would meet with Barcelona sporting director Deco to advance discussions over a new deal. His current contract runs until 2026 and he is underlined as the top priority for the Blaugrana.

“I still don't know anything,” Pedri explained. “I was concentrated on the game. I will speak to my representatives, but I am happy here and what needs to be done will be done.”

In the second half of last season, the relationship between Xavi and Pedri was said to sour following a rumor that the former would be open to selling him. The Catalan manager made this clear with Pedri, but there was also disquiet over the way his fitness was handled last year, possibly related to his return from an injury that came too early.