Real Madrid target compared to Pedri names Barcelona as his favourite club – ‘I watch almost every match’ | OneFootball

Earlier this week, Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman made waves with his statements, comparing Dutch starlet Kees Smit to Barcelona midfield superstar Pedri.

Smit, who plays for AZ Alkmaar, has previously been linked with Barça and is very much on the radars of their arch-rivals, Real Madrid.

And Koeman, who gave Pedri his breakthrough at Barcelona, stated that he saw similarities between the 19-year-old prodigy and the Spain ace.

“I coached Pedri at Barcelona, and I see things of him in Kees Smit. The turns, the use of both feet, the vision… It’s what I saw in Pedri back then,” Koeman had said.

Kees Smit a Barcelona fan

Now, Smit, who is currently with the Netherlands U-21 national team, has opened up on the comparisons made by Koeman.

“If he thinks so, maybe he is. I wasn’t expecting it, but I think it’s a good comparison,” Smit said.

“I understand that people found it a rather strange comparison,” he added. “Before I was De Bruyne and now I’m Pedri (laughs). Or Frenkie de Jong.”

Kees Smit is a Barcelona fan. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Smit then went on to make an interesting revelation, stating that he was a big fan of Barcelona.

“I watch almost every Barcelona match. It’s simply my favourite club,” remarked Smit.

Regarding his chances of going to the World Cup, Smit said that while he does not expect it, it would obviously be something special.

“If the coach is talking about you, I think you’re pretty close. But I wouldn’t say I’m in the running. I have to prove if I really deserve it.”

Meanwhile, Barcelona and Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong also weighed in on Smit being compared to Pedri, stating that there was no footballer like the Spanish international, and the 19-year-old should be left to keep growing without any added pressure.

Source: AS