Diario Sport: Pjanic problem with Koeman was his lack of physicality:

As Diario Sport's reliable Toni Juanmarti reports, Ronald Koeman's problem with Miralem Pjanic started on the midfielder's very first day at Barcelona.

As you may remember, Pjanic contracted COVID-19 soon after signing for the Catalans and had to miss the opening part of the pre-season.

Since the virus takes its toll on the person's physical condition, when the Bosnian returned to training, he was far from being at his best.

Koeman was disappointed with the player and dismissed him right from the start, it's said. Pjanic, on the other hand, knew he would get back into the rhythm eventually, but the coach didn't give Miralem enough playing time to prove himself.

While it's true that the 31-year-old had never been a particularly physical midfielder, it's hard to make the case that Sergio Busquets is much different in that regard.

However, Koeman's initial disappointment and Pedri's emergence resulted in Pjanic having to leave on loan to Besiktas.