Former Barcelona manager questions Pedri’s role for Spain at World Cup: ‘Communicates much better with his club teammates’ | OneFootball

Spain have had an indifferent start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, with a draw against Cape Verde and a hard-fought win against Uruguay.

Barcelona midfield star Pedri has not looked as influential for Spain as he usually does for the club, and Quique Setien believes part of the problem is the role he is being asked to play.

Speaking on Carrusel, as quoted by SPORT, the former Barça coach analysed Pedri’s group-stage performances and suggested that Spain are not getting the best out of the Canary Islander.

He said: “Pedri communicates much better with his teammates at Barcelona than with these players.”

At club level, Pedri plays in a structure where his teammates understand his pauses, body shape, receiving angles and timing. With Spain, the rhythm has not looked quite as natural.

Setien points to Spain’s structure

Pedri began the World Cup in a more advanced role, almost as a number 10, and that did not help Spain against Cape Verde’s low block.

Pedri has not been very influential for Spain at the World Cup. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

He later returned closer to his preferred zone and had more influence against Saudi Arabia, but doubts returned against Uruguay, where Luis de la Fuente substituted him in the 60th minute with the match still undecided.

Setien also pointed to the lack of precision around him. He said: “Rodri, Fabian or players who can play in that position lack precision to filter passes in such reduced spaces when opponents sit deep.”

The coach also questioned Spain’s full-back mechanisms. He continued:

“Llorente and Cucurella do not understand the position too well either. They arrive, but they struggle to find the passes and the spaces, because they play differently at their clubs. These are mechanisms you cannot change overnight.”

Barça know the real Pedri

As far as Setien’s words go, this is not necessarily a criticism of Pedri but of the role that the Barcelona star is asked to play within the Spain setup.

Pedri is at his best when he is close to the base of play, touching the ball often, connecting lines and choosing the right moment to accelerate.

Spain need to figure out how to best use Pedri. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

He is not a player who should disappear between centre-backs and midfielders waiting for one isolated action.

At Barça, Hansi Flick has understood that his influence grows when the team gives him constant contact with the ball. Spain need to do the same if they want him to decide knockout matches.

Spain face Austria in the Round of 32, and if they want to chase the second star, Pedri must become central again.

Barcelona already know what happens when Pedri runs the game. Spain need to remember it quickly.