Barca faces personnel shortages, giving a rising star a chance in the first team

Due to ongoing injuries in the forward line, Barcelona had no choice but to elevate the young player Pedro Fernandez “Dro” to the senior squad, granting the 17-year-old La Masia academy star a chance to debut.

Pedro Fernandez “Dro” was one of the intriguing discoveries by coach Hansi Flick during the preseason. At just 17, the La Masia product impressed greatly during the Asia tour, earning him a spot with the first team for the first three rounds of La Liga.

However, since the national team break, Dro has been completely absent from both matchday squads and training sessions. The reason was a foot injury sustained in the Barca Atletic match against Porreras on September 7. Persistent pain over several weeks prevented Dro from participating in both first team and youth matches.

According to the SPORT, Dro has fully recovered and returned to training with the squad earlier this week. In the latest session, the young player was even welcomed back by teammates with the traditional “clap corridor,” signaling his genuine return. He is expected to be registered for the upcoming match against Real Oviedo on Thursday.

Dro’s comeback brings timely good news for coach Flick, as Barcelona is severely short-staffed in midfield and attack. Fermin Lopez will be out for three weeks, while Gavi’s serious injury means a four to five month absence. Up front, Lamine Yamal is also unavailable, forcing Flick to rotate Raphinha and Rashford to fill the gaps.

Besides his natural attacking midfield role, Dro can also play on the left wing, where Barca currently lacks options. This versatility makes the 17-year-old a valuable asset and opens the door for his official first team debut during this critical phase of the season.

With the trust of coach Flick and his own determination, Pedro Fernandez “Dro” is expected to soon continue La Masia’s tradition of producing stars and become a fresh energy source to help Barca overcome the current injury crisis.