Braithwaite Backed To Shine At Camp Nou

Pedersen believes Braithwaite can be a surprise package in the Spanish top flight when the season resumes.

Braithwaite signed for Barcelona from Leganes in February after the Spanish champions were granted an emergency exception to sign him outside of a transfer window because Ousmane Dembele was ruled out for six months after surgery to treat a ruptured hamstring.

The former Middlesbrough and Toulouse man hardly made an impact after his arrival in Catalonia before football went in limbo due to Covid-19.

Pedersen, who was the mentor to the 28-year-old during his formative days at Esbjerg, has labeled his compatriot as an extraordinary player and believes Braithwaite has what it takes to prove his doubters wrong when the season resumes.

“We haven’t seen Martin play a lot for Barca because of the corona break, but he is much more a Barca type of player than many may believe,” he told Goal of Braithwaite, who played just three times for Barcelona, having a hand in two goals on his debut off the bench in a 5-0 win over Eibar.

“He has the tactical ability to fit into different tactical set-ups depending on the clubs he has represented in his career so far, and I know that he can play with a vision and anticipation in his game that is quite extraordinary. “

“He is very good in that phase of the game, where he can see options that a lot of other players don’t see, where he can create space for other players, which is quite rare, since most players focus on creating space for themselves.”

“His timing in his runs is amazing, and he anticipates the dangerous areas to attack into before they appear.”

“Good players run into the danger areas as soon as they see them, but the best players spot the areas, then they wait with their run until the perfect moment with the maximum effect - that is football intelligence, and Martin has that ability. This is why he is a Barcelona player, in my opinion.”

“And this is why I am looking forward to watching him play for Barcelona when La Liga restarts because with such great team-mates, he will have a great possibility to show his skills at the very highest level.”