Pedro isn't happy. With only ten minutes of action on the pitch so far at the Euros, the Chelsea winger has found himself behind Man City target Nolito and David Silva in the pecking order in Vicente del Bosque's side. After a disappointing season with Chelsea it was always going to prove hard for the 28-year old to force his way into the team, and he voiced his frustrations to Spanish media on Monday.
I had other expectations when I arrived here. To take this role is very difficult for me, and you wonder if it is really worth the trouble to keep coming just to be part of the group.
Del Bosque and centre-back Gerard Pique have played down the comments since then, however. Del Bosque told reporters that Pedro did not mean to "disrespect anyone" and that "his conscience got the better of him a little bit...he just showed a reality of what the 12 players who are not playing all feel".
Pique felt that the statement from Pedro was "a normal statement from a player who wants to play more", and that his colleague is an example of players who "have had a significant career and want to continue playing and providing for the team."
Pedro was forced to address his comments subsequently, clarifying that it wasn't "an attack on my coach" but admitting that he thought his words had been "overblown" slightly.
It is a constant them of team sport and a struggle for any manager: how does one keep a whole squad happy and content when, inevitably, some feel they are being unfairly treated? No doubt Del Bosque is happier that Pedro is chomping at the bit to get involved; better this than a lethargic contentment to sit on the bench. That Pedro, a World and European Champion with Spain, is still this hungry to play and to win is perhaps a warning sign to other sides in the tournament.
