Former Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has delivered a scathing assessment of Pedri following Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, describing the Spanish midfielder’s performance as “absolutely dreadful.” The Dutchman also believes Frenkie de Jong could benefit from the disappointing display as he attempts to regain a regular starting role under Barcelona manager Hansi Flick.

Speaking after Sunday’s El Clasico at the Spotify Camp Nou, Van der Vaart suggested that Pedri and several of his teammates failed to produce their usual standard during the encounter. He was particularly critical of the Spain international, arguing that Barcelona’s midfield performance created an opportunity for De Jong to strengthen his position within the squad.

“Pedri was absolutely dreadful and the others were also very sloppy, so De Jong has no reason to fear the competition. Opportunities will come,” Van der Vaart said.

The former Netherlands international’s remarks have attracted attention because of Pedri’s importance to Barcelona’s playing style. The midfielder is one of the key figures in Flick’s system, helping the team maintain possession, control the tempo of matches and create opportunities through his passing and movement.

However, Van der Vaart’s criticism suggests that even established players could face increased competition if they fail to perform consistently. Barcelona’s defeat to their fiercest rivals has placed renewed attention on the team’s overall display, with individual performances also coming under scrutiny.

De Jong’s return from injury could provide Flick with an additional option as he considers adjustments to his midfield. The Dutch international had spent several months out of action before making his comeback during the Clasico against Real Madrid.

Although he was introduced for only the final 15 minutes, his appearance marked an important step towards regaining full fitness and re-establishing himself within the team. Barcelona’s defeat meant the midfielder’s return received less attention than it might have after a positive result.

De Jong is reportedly eager to reclaim a place in the starting lineup and increase his involvement as his condition improves. His availability gives Flick greater flexibility in midfield selection, particularly as Barcelona attempt to maintain their competitiveness across domestic and European competitions.

Nevertheless, securing a regular starting position will depend on more than Pedri’s performance in a single match. De Jong will need to demonstrate that he has recovered sufficiently from his injury, can sustain his fitness and is capable of delivering consistently at the highest level.

Pedri, meanwhile, remains a central figure in Barcelona’s midfield and continues to play an important role in the club’s possession-based approach. One difficult performance does not necessarily diminish his standing within the squad, although the criticism highlights the expectations placed on him.

Van der Vaart’s comments have therefore added another dimension to the competition for midfield places at Barcelona. With De Jong returning to contention and Flick weighing his options, the coming matches could provide a clearer indication of how the manager intends to distribute playing time between his available midfielders.