Barcelona closely monitoring teenage prodigy’s condition after lengthy absence | OneFootball

Pedri’s injury is a devastating blow to Hansi Flick’s plans at Barcelona, for the Spaniard is perhaps the single most important player in the team’s dynamics.

His loss, combined with the absence of Gavi and Dani Olmo, leaves the manager with a thin squad in the midfield department.

The alarm bells are thus ringing, and the coach does not have long to find a setup that can minimise the void left by Pedri’s injury. Needless to say, that is not an easy task.

The Bernal option

Marc Bernal, for long, has been seen as one of La Masia’s best holding midfield prospects, but the player suffered an early setback when he ruptured his ACL early last season.

After more than a year out, the player has made his return to the field, but Flick & co. have limited his minutes and have treaded a path of caution. The situation now, needless to say, brings the spotlight back on him as he is seen as a potential solution.

Bernal has barely played since his return from ACL injury. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

As relayed by Mundo Deportivo in a recent report, Barcelona continue to monitor Bernal closely and keep a keen eye on his training loan to ensure his gradual and phased return.

One of the club’s physiotherapists is following all of his movements and progress to ensure there is no relapse in any capacity, as the club values the teenager highly.

Since making his return against Valencia in September, Bernal has played just 30 minutes, and that shows the concern the management holds about his fitness.

It remains to be seen, however, if the situation now forces Flick to push Bernal to a slightly more hastened return to prominence.

Given that it has been over a year since his injury and subsequent surgery, the time may be right for Bernal to return to the field and shine. A lot, however, will depend on his comfort and the quality of his training.