Barcelona legend Eric Abidal has opened up on the potential sale of Pedro, with the Spain forward having been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in recent days.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho admitted his admiration for the attacker last week when, according to SPORT, he admitted that he was a long-term fan of the player.
The Portuguese coach did, however, admit his concern that the arrival of Arda Turan at Barcelona may further reduce Pedro’s opportunities to get regular playing time.
This has already been an issue for the 27-year-old, who has found himself behind the star-studded trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in the pecking order.
Seeing an opportunity, Mourinho was believed to be eyeing a deal for the forward, with the Mirror reporting that the Pensioners chief was plotting a £20 million move for the World Cup-winning star.
However, speaking to AS [Le 10 Sport], Barcelona legend Eric Abidal has reaffirmed Pedro’s value to the Catalonian giants and insisted that the player ‘cannot leave’.
“Players like Pedro can’t leave,” he began, addressing the issue of his former teammate’s future.
“I know him as a player and as a person, he fits perfectly with the team.
“I remember in 2009, when we won everything, the most important goals were his. The work is collective, these are the details that make you win.
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“Pedro is the kind of player that contributes these details,” he concluded, “he is still an important part of the team, even if he doesn’t play as much as he would like.”
The forward managed six goals and six assists in 35 outings last term, although only 15 of those outings were starts.
He featured from the beginning in only four matches as Barcelona went on to win the Champions League, and didn’t find the net in Europe’s elite club competition.