Pedro Fernandez

“Barca” is off the charts, both this season and even during the recent loss against “Sociedad”: 3.5 expected goals, more than twenty shots, complete control of possession and high-intensity pressing. Bad luck and poor defensive efforts were enough to cause Barca to lose.

As always, Flick has returned to the academy for the second season of his tenure: preseason, friendly matches and plenty of young talent. Unlike Xavi, however, Hansi Flick continues to find some surprising names each summer. Take Gerard Martin for instance; in addition to being a chance for the preseason, Hansi sent Alex Valle on loan and then the fans were shocked.

In similar fashion, there is Dro. Flick brought in eight academy players into the preseason group, and the largest surprise was 17-year-old Pedro Fernandez — or simply Dro. As per Gerard Romero, Dro, who came up from the under-17 team, quickly became the discovery of the first week of training and was called up to the Asian tour right away. Again, the competitor that the press had placed bets on, Han Virgili, was transferred to “Mallorca”. Already in early August, Dro played in the first match — as a “ten” — closer to the left flank. Short and agile, he displayed the typical skills of a “La Masia” product — technique, ball control, quality short passes, combination football. Somewhere he’d play a heel pass. He still looked very fragile physically, but he wasn’t afraid to take responsibility. In the end, he scored — against “Vissel Kobe”. Good tour.

Dro Fernandez – fcbarcelona.com

By the start of the season, Dro skipped the under-19 team and registered with the reserves, while already traveling with the first team for the first three rounds of the Spanish league. September 28 — the debut 45 minutes against “Real Sociedad”. Already in October, the first assist — in the match against “Olympiacos” in the Champions League. After the match, Flick said about Dro: “I am pleased working with him.” He is a very diligent worker and tracks down defenders.

It seemed like this youngster’s future was mapped out for many seasons ahead. But then, January’s news shook things up like lightning: Dro Fernandez submitted a transfer request, and top clubs from all around Europe began chasing the €6 million release clause. To begin with, it was planned that Deco — sporting director — would make Dro sign an extension as soon as he turns 18. But January 12 arrived and went …

It may seem that “FC Barcelona” has been hit by the forces of nature once again, such as registration problems last year. However, Dro’s case is not a mistake by Deco and the board of directors. Catalan press sources report that this is a deliberate decision by the player, whom he considered for several months. And allegedly, it was not the fact that he was not in the starting lineup for the Copa del Rey match against “Racing”, although at the same time Sport reports about the player’s injury at that time.

Regardless of whether the insiders are confused or not, the reasons for Dro’s decision to leave are obvious. The last time Dro played was on December 2 against “Atlético”, and in total for the current season, he logged 148 minutes of playing time in five games. As rumors about “Paris Saint-Germain” began to appear almost instantly after the departure information, the reasons behind them are based on two factors. First, allegedly, the player himself had already informed his teammates and even Flick. Second, Fernandez’s agent also deals with Luis Enrique’s business interests. Ivan de la Peña brokered the transfer of Arnau Tenas in a similar way to this season. Third, French media are already reporting details: official announcement this week, contract — until 2030.

Dro Fernandez – fichajes.net

Hansi Flick was greatly saddened when he found out that Dro was leaving. Later, according to The Touchline, he even excluded Dro from training. And at the pre-match press conference, he gave a powerful statement to all of the players.

Thanks to Hansi Flick’s trust in him, Dro made a big jump forward this season. The club itself appreciates its academy graduates. Dro was in a long-term development program within the club, but this winter he decided to force events and seek a new challenge. Do you think this is a necessity? Will it work? Will it be better at the new club? Or will it turn out to be like with Xavi Simons? Many questions.