Spotlight on Pedri as Spain take on Switzerland

Pedri Gonzalez

Spain is on the charge at a major football tournament with a creative and technically gifted Barcelona player calling the shots from central midfield.

Sound familiar? Only 18 and already seemingly indispensable for the national team, Pedri Gonzalez has been given the keys to a midfield that was once the domain of two modern-day greats in Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta.

The comparisons are inevitable - and maybe justified - and will only become more widespread if Pedri leads Spain to the Euro title in the coming days, just as Xavi and Iniesta did in 2008 and 2012 amid a golden era for the country. "Pedri is a unique player," Spain coach Luis Enrique said understatedly.

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Certainly Switzerland needs to be on top of Spanish new midfield conductor in the first quarter-final match here on Friday. That's easier said than done. Pedri is playing in his first major tournament - he only made his senior international debut in March - and is tied for first place for most chances created (10) and has more passes in the opposition half (233) than any other player.

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