With the international break done and dusted, Barcelona have resumed their preparation for the season’s start, this time with a fully available squad.
Although Xavi Hernandez missed out on the services of Ronald Araujo during the preparatory training session, he was blessed with the presence of one exciting Barça Athletic star in the form of Estanis Pedrola.
As reported by Mundo Deportivo, the youngster was called up to the first-team training ahead of the Elche game, along with three other prospects Angel Alarcon, Marc Casado and Aleix Garrido.
A left winger by trade, Pedrola has shown immense quality and potential during his time in the youth competitions. He has racked up seven goals for the Barça Athletic side this season, just one fewer than Victor Barbera, who looks set to depart Camp Nou in the summer.
Pedrola’s intention is to continue his development in the Barça Athletic squad, under the watchful eyes of Rafael Marquez, while training with the senior team.
Although the youngster’s current contract expires in 2024, Barcelona are not worried about his future as they have established a unilateral clause to extend his stay at Camp Nou for more years.
Pedrola’s rise to prominence could be a boon for Barcelona, especially at a time when the club are poised to lose out on a few star prospects including Ilias Akhomach.
However, while players such as Pedrola, Alarcon and Garrido are enjoying rapid development in the subsidiary squad, one player who is yet to settle into life at Barça is new signing Julian Araujo. The Mexican international is enduring technical difficulties and his problems have been compounded by lack of action on the pitch