Xavi Hernandez insists Barcelona are not dependent on Pedri

Xavi Hernandez says Barcelona are not dependent on Pedri after the youngster produced another game-changing performance in Sunday's thrilling 3-2 win over Levante.

Pedri, 19, scored the only goal in last week's 1-0 win against Sevilla and he came off the bench against Levante to score Barca's second goal as they came from behind at the Ciudad de Valencia stadium.

«I wouldn't say that,» Xavi said in his post-game news conference when asked if Barca suffer from «Pedridependencia,» a term previously reserved for Lionel Messi.

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«Look, he's an extraordinary player. Don't skimp on the praise for him. He's a player that excites me and one that can make a difference. He's scored a great goal [against Levante], but I don't think there is [a dependence on him].»

Xavi has asked Pedri to shoot more and his goal in Valencia took his tally to five for the season in 21 appearances, one more than he managed in 53 outings last term.

Pedri missed half of the current campaign with an injury, but his comeback in January has coincided with Barca's return to form under Xavi, with the Blaugrana rising from ninth to second in the table under the Catalan coach.

Sunday's win was Barcelona's seventh in a row in LaLiga, but they came close to dropping points in a pulsating game against Levante, who were awarded three second-half penalties.

Jose Luis Morales scored the first, but Roger Marti saw the second saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen, just moments before Pedri, along with 17-year-old Gavi, was introduced.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang levelled the score and Pedri and Gavi connected to hand Barca the lead before a third penalty, converted by Gonzalo Melero, looked to have earned a point for