Chelsea risk ultimately frustrating Cole Palmer if they press on with their pursuit of Joao Pedro. The Brighton forward has been heavily linked with a move away from the south coast this summer, with Newcastle and Arsenal among his admirers.
Chelsea are also interested in the Brazilian, though he may not be the final piece of the puzzle that Enzo Maresca is hoping to find in the transfer market. After securing the signature of Liam Delap from Ipswich, the Blues are keen to bring in another No. 9 to provide an alternative option in the final third and Pedro is among the players they are assessing.
There is no doubt that he would provide a significantly different profile to that of Delap and Jackson, but it is unlikely that his skillset is what the overall Chelsea team truly needs to progress further. The ex-Watford star scored 10 goals and registered six assists in 27 league appearances last season, though those figures undersell his influence in Fabian Hurzeler’s side.
The 23-year-old played in a host of different positions over the course of the campaign, but largely found himself leading the line or playing as a second striker behind Danny Welbeck.
Regardless of his role though, Pedro was frequently given the licence to roam and would therefore drop deep to try and influence Brighton's build-up, and he had plenty of joy in doing so. However, although this proved effective at Brighton given their midfield duo provided solidity over creativity, it is hard to imagine him having the same level of success with this style at Chelsea.
Playmaker Palmer remains the face of Maresca’s side, and his desire to drop deep and dictate would see him occupying the same areas as Pedro if the latter arrives at Stamford Bridge.
Though it may not be just Palmer who could be frustrated by the striker being misprofiled. Wingers Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto both longed for an outright No. 9 to deliver crosses into for long periods of last season, and they may find themselves whipping balls into dangerous areas without a focal point being there to tap them home if Pedro is signed and plays over Delap.
Brighton are demanding at least £60million to part ways with their versatile forward this summer, and although Pedro’s team-mate Igor has talked up how his friend would favour a move to a London-based club, Chelsea must resist the urge to raid the Seagulls if they are to answer Maresca’s striker prayers. Their money would be better spent elsewhere despite Pedro's talents.