Former Barcelona director reflects on the signings of Pedri and Abde: ‘Generated a lot of criticism’

Former Barcelona director reflects on the signings of Pedri and Abde: ‘Generated a lot of criticism’ Speaking to Zona Mixta ahead of the upcoming La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis , former sporting director Planes reflected on his time at both clubs. Planes was the technical director at Barça for three years between 2018 and 2021, and was responsible for some important signings during that period, including superstar Pedri and Ronald Araujo. The 58-year-old then spent a year at Getafe before being named the Real Betis sporting director for a short period during 2023/24. Why Pedri’s Barcelona transfer attracted criticism During the interview, Planes discussed his role in bringing Pedri and Araujo to Barcelona. The Spanish midfielder arrived from Las Palmas in August 2020, following an agreement reached in September 2019 for a fee of €5 million.  Planes stressed that recruiting a young player is only the beginning of the process and that clubs must continue to support them when difficulties arise.  “You cannot back a player and then abandon him. You have to stay in constant contact with the player and show him that you believe in him,” he explained, as quoted by SPORT . “When you sign a player, everything is wonderful, but then difficulties start. The coach does not pick you,” Planes added. Barcelona paid an initial fee of only €5m for Pedri. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) “At that time, the board supported me over Pedri, but many people did not understand the signing.”  The transfer attracted criticism because Barcelona were paying a significant fee for a player who had yet to establish himself in Spain’s top flight, despite the club’s renowned La Masia academy producing young talent of its own.  “Paying €5 million for a player who had never played in La Liga, with La Masia already there, generated a lot of criticism. That culture did not exist at Barcelona. I stood firm, and that conviction is essential,” Planes said.  However, it is safe to say that the deal has gone down as one of the best transfer operations for Barcelona in recent history, with Pedri now one of the best midfielders in the game. Planes explains his admiration for Abde When Planes arrived at after his stints with Barça and Getafe Betis, one of his main priorities as sporting director was to bring Barcelona players into the club’s project. Ez Abde was a key target, and the Moroccan winger has since become an important figure for the Andalusian side. “Abde is a player I know very well because we backed him at Barcelona. He reflects my way of seeing football and the type of player I have backed at every club I have worked for since I started at the age of 32, which was a long time ago,” Planes explained.  Planes played a key role in bringing Abde to Barcelona in 2021, when he was the club’s technical secretary. Planes signed Abde at Barcelona and then later took him to Betis. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) He identified the Moroccan while he was playing for Hercules in Spain’s third tier, recognising his ability to take on opponents and create danger in one-on-one situations.  Years later, Planes again pushed hard to sign him for Betis, strengthening the relationship he had already built with the player.  “[Sergi] Altimira, Chadi Riad and others had incredible potential. Abde was a street footballer: aggressive, intense and unpredictable,” he recalled.  “When I saw him, I backed him for Barça Atletic, paying his €2 million release clause even though he had barely played.” Continuing, he added: “He played for the first team, and we loaned him to Osasuna, where he did very well under Jagoba Arrasate. When I joined Betis, I wanted him at all costs. “I remember having many conversations with him, explaining that he was joining a very big club, with demanding supporters and a real challenge ahead of him.  “He is a player not many people know well. Internally, he is extremely competitive. Abde wants to be the best in his position.”