PEDRO: Has he given Antonio Conte his first real selection headache of the season ahead of Liverpool?
It's taken just over a season but finally, we are beginning to see the Pedro we all used to sit an admire at Barcelona. Has he now g...
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It's taken just over a season but finally, we are beginning to see the Pedro we all used to sit an admire at Barcelona. Has he now given Antonio Conte his first real selection headache of the season ahead of Liverpool at Anfield tonight?
He has been a revelation this year whether he has played at part of our attacking three or at right wing-back when required in the cup competitions and it's his willingness to work hard for the team without the ball in addition to the obvious quality that he has that has impressed the most.
He has lightening pace which takes him passed defenders and away from challenges in a heartbeat, his technical ability is without question having come from the famed Barcelona Academy but he has produced consistent performances throughout the course of the season coupled with goals that has taken him to the next level.
It's clear that two out of our attacking three pick themselves and that's Eden Hazard and Diego Costa with Pedro and Willian fighting it out amongst themselves for the final position. If anything, there is nothing to split either of them at the moment because when they come in to do a job for the team, both have performed really, really well.
For the most part this season, Antonio Conte has decided to select Pedro from the start on our right hand side with the freedom to drift inside or swap positions with Eden Hazard. Although starting these games, he finds himself being withdrawn and replaced by Willian in games or at the start of others in a constant rotation.
So to Liverpool and Pedro's recent performances at right wing-back. Has he given Conte a real problem here? Is he thinking about starting him in place of Victor Moses?
We have to be realistic and state that Pedro has featured as a wing-back on both sides of the pitch in the FA Cup of late against Peterborough and Brentford. OK, admittedly so they are not of the same standard of Premier League sides (no disrespect) so it's easy to make a decision based on those games.
This is Liverpool away, with the likes of Firminho, Coutinho, Sturridge and Lallana all making runs in behind and down the sides of us and you can bet your life Liverpool will do everything possible to expose the space behind our wing-backs. Surely you would have to pick Victor Moses for the defensive side of his game that has improved so much this season working in tandem with Cesar Azpilicueta?
Speaking of Pedro and his recent performances at wing-back, Antonio Conte said:
‘We are finding out a great player that can play in different positions. To see him as a wing-back is not usual, like Moses at the start of the season. It shows me he has great commitment, form and quality.
Pedro plays very well as a wing-back or as a winger. Now I have a problem for Tuesday!’ - Source: Metro.
What do you think ahead of tonight? Moses or Pedro as our right wing-back?