Pedro Porro: Things to know about the Spanish starlet

A few weeks ago, most football fans who don't follow the Spanish or Portuguese leagues had probably never heard of the name Pedro Porro.

However, after youngster's call-up and subsequent debut for the Spanish senior side, all of a sudden every football hipster in the world is claiming to have followed him since his time in the lower leagues with Peralada - we know what you're up to.

Anyway, if you're honest enough to admit you don't have a clue who he is - or you're a football hipster looking to pretend you know who he is - 90min has provided you with a rundown of everything you need to know about the talented 21-year-old.

1. Made his Girona debut before even playing for the reserves

When Porro signed for Girona aged 17, you'd have forgiven the Spanish outfit for telling the youngster he'd be spending a couple of months with the reserves so he could find his feet at the club - they didn't.

The right-back made his senior debut in the Copa del Rey against Levante just a few months later before he'd even featured for the youth sides or the reserve team.

He went on to make his La Liga debut less than a year later before leaving for Manchester City in 2019 having amassed a total of 32 league appearances for Girona.

2. Man City loaned him out four days after his £11m arrival

Alright, so we all know how these things work by now.

Some poor youngster gets lured to the bright lights of the Premier League only to find themselves shipped out on loan for the next 15 years. But FOUR DAYS after arriving?! Seriously?

After showing plenty of promise during his time in La Liga, Manchester City saw enough to warrant splashing £11m on Porro. Lovely. The plane lands in England, you meet your new teammates, you get a locker in the changing room and there's the exit door.

Porro was immediately sent on loan to Real Valladolid before being loaned out yet again the following summer to Sporting CP, where he's halfway through his two-year temporary deal.

3. Sporting CP have the option to make his loan move permanent

You never know quite what to believe from players' representatives these days, though Porro's agent has claimed Sporting CP have the option to make his loan move to Portugal permanent.

“Yes, it is true that Sporting can exercise the option when they decide, he’s safe," he said as reported by A Bola (via Sport Witness).

He added that his client was happy with Sporting CP and - given his performances with the Portuguese outfit during the first year of his loan move - it wouldn't be a surprise if they did snap him up if the claims are true,

4. City could use him as a makeweight in a deal for Nuno Mendes

While Porro is evidently talented, it's difficult to see him ousting Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker in City's squad if he does return to the club.

One position the Premier League champions elect have struggled with is left-back, and it just so happens Sporting CP have one of the brightest young left-backs in Europe on their books. How convenient.

Pep Guardiola is understood to be a big admirer of Nuno Mendes and the club are said to be considering using Porro as a makeweight in a bid to sign the Sporting CP left-back.

5. Sporting CP aren't the only club pursuing him

And so the plot thickens.

If Sporting CP really do have the option to sign Porro permanently, then why have so many other clubs lodged an interest in the youngster?

The most notable admirers of Porro are Real Madrid, with the La Liga champions said to be monitoring his performances with a view to a future move.

6. He's a typical modern day full-back

The days of right-backs being limited footballers who produce 6/10 performances every week have long gone.

To be a full-back in today's game, you need to be an athlete capable of supporting the attack while having the energy to get back and complete your defensive duties, and Porro is exactly that.

The Spaniard has created 33 goalscoring chances in his 25 Primeira Liga outings this season and had 39 shots on goal.

7. He snubbed Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich

When Porro signed for Girona back in 2017, he reportedly rejected moves to some of Europe's biggest clubs including Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.

The youngster snubbed the advances as Girona had been watching him for well over a year and he saw the La Liga outfit as a better option given he would likely be afforded more time in the first-team setup.

How's that's move to Manchester City two years later working out for you?