Should Pedro Choose Manchester City over Manchester United?
If Pedro's last meaningful kick for Barcelona was the ninth goal in the UEFA Super Cup's 5-4 offensive thriller: "Not a poor way to leave Catalonia," he might think.
Linked with several Premier League clubs, the 28-year-old Spain international is expected to leave Camp Nou, as documented by ESPN FC's Richard Jolly, but where he is heading has been a frequent source of speculation this summer.
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Chelsea (per the Independent's Simon Rice), Liverpool (per Metro's Louis Sealey) and Arsenal (per Metro's Tom Olver) were linked with Pedro early on but seem to have dropped from the race—if they ever were viable contestants.
The two clubs that have the best chance to sign the World Cup winner are Manchester United and Manchester City—with the Red Devils strong front-runners. Telegraph Sport reports Spanish papers have the Citizens making a late push to capture Pedro from their crosstown rivals, with his reported £22 million release fee an almost ridiculous bargain.
With the name "Pedro" written on every major English club's wishlist, the Spaniard has his own wishes to consider.
Lost somewhere in the opaque shadow of Lionel Messi, Neymar, David Villa, Thierry Henry, Luis Suarez and hosts of other world-class talent in his seven years of senior Barcelona servitude, the time has apparently come for Pedro to create his own legend—which seems more a possibility in England than anywhere.
Choosing his potential new club wisely, though, will decide his ultimate fate.
Were Pedro to leave the defending Primera Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League winners for either Manchester United or Manchester City, there are two things he must consider: Louis van Gaal and Manuel Pellegrini.
The former is one of football's greatest current managers with league titles in three domestic leagues (Netherlands, Germany, Spain) a Champions League winner's medal and a third-place World Cup finish with the Netherlands in 2014. The latter has won the Premier League in his current post, coaches a squad of world-class veterans and has massive financial backing behind him that could sign any player in world football.
Van Gaal has the pedigree and the tradition of Manchester United on his side. Coming from Barcelona, that should appeal to a player of Pedro's quality (which could be why they are leading the race).
Pellegrini, however, has what Man United cannot guarantee—a starting spot every week, every game and in every competition (within reason). Jesus Navas is the Citizens' current right-wing option and would be easily exchanged for a footballer of Pedro's quality.
United, as shown with the £59.7 million Angel Di Maria debacle, have little consistency with their lineups from week to week; this makes determining whether Pedro would be cracking Van Gaal's starting XI or just taking Di Maria's spot on the Old Trafford bench rather challenging.
If the choice is sitting on Barcelona's bench with your friends (in Barcelona) or sitting on Manchester United's bench (not in Barcelona), Pedro should choose Barcelona.
Only with guarantees from United's brass should the 28-year-old winger leave his treble-winning side for the Theatre of Dreams lest his specific dream turn sour.
City appear the better fit in terms of minutes available, the calibre of striker up front (Sergio Aguero over Wayne Rooney) and with Pellegrini's job ever rumoured to be taken by Pep Guardiola—as Stephan Uersfeld of ESPN FC exemplifies—there is potential to be reunited with his former Barca boss.
That said, though, when does football ever follow the common sense path?
Rarely.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
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