Since that experiment vs PSG back in December, Barcelona fans have suggested that Pedro Rodríguez could be used as right back in case Dani Alves leaves and the back-ups don't live up to expectations.

While his work rate and stamina would surely fit the role, his associative play and especially his defensive abilities would make it hard for him to thrive in the position. Let’s compare his stats from this season with each of our viable right back options: Dani Alves, Adriano, Montoya, and Bartra. Douglas has been excluded for obvious reasons.

Pedro is statistically Barcelona's worst player in the air, far from being as good as Marc Bartra. It's not enough if he plays as right back, winning only one out of 10 aerial duels.

Pedro doesn't do well on tackles compared to our actual defenders, either. And the gap is immense. Lionel Messi has a better tackling record than him, for instance. The same goes for interceptions, clearances, dispossessions, crosses, long balls, and through balls. Pedro only holds his own when it comes to not being dribbled past, but the number itself doesn’t reveal much as he spends most of his time running after attackers, not waiting for them to come at him.

He has a good record in key passes, but that would not be the same number if he started plays deeper, which players like Bartra and Adriano could improve on if they were used as right back more often. His dribbling statistics would also be different if he played as right back. Pedro struggles to beat his marker nowadays, especially when it comes to one-on-ones. Imagine having to go through a packed midfield.

He has the third-highest quantity of bad controls per match, and that could worsen under pressure. Pedro does have the work rate, but he doesn't possess the defensive acumen to merit him a place as right back in case Dani Alves leaves. Adriano is more able, Montoya isn’t as bad as some consider him to be, and Bartra could hold his own very well there as he previously featured at Barcelona B.

We cannot expect an attacking player to be converted into another position just to see him featuring for our team, after he has failed to deliver on his standard attacking position for three full seasons. We have at least two players ready to help, and Montoya is an actual right back who's yet to experience a regular run of matches.

Whether or not it’s time to let Pedro go it's something for another time, but wishing and thinking he would be the key to our right-back situation seems more like “hoping for a magical solution”. That's not necessary. Meritocracy should be used with the two reliable options that are available right now: Adriano and Bartra.