While Chelsea are about to spend a lot of money on Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro, the Brazilian is not the finished article just yet.
Last season, Pedro scored 10 goals in 27 Premier League appearances for the Seagulls, which is nothing outstanding.
However, breaking down his record, some of his goals came against some very strong opposition.
Chelsea are set to pay around £60m for his signature, and former Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew thinks Pedro can justify that fee.
Joao Pedro of Brighton & Hove Albion takes on Leandro Trossard
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Joao Pedro thwarted Arsenal twice in 2024/25 season
During the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, two of Pedro’s goals came against Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal.
The 23-year-old scored an equaliser in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates last August before doing the same thing in the reverse fixture.
Pedro was also able to find the back of the net against Manchester City and Manchester United, so the Brazil international managed to deliver for Brighton in some big games last term.
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It is a promising sign for Chelsea, who will be expecting similar results after deciding to spend big money on him. A lot will also be expected of Liam Delap following his arrival from Ipswich Town.
Pedro will take some of the pressure off Delap, but Enzo Maresca will want to see goals from the England Under-21 international, who could end up being the Blues’ first-choice striker next season.
There has been plenty of talk about Chelsea potentially selling Nicolas Jackson this summer.
Joao Pedro of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates scoring
Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images
Joao Pedro’s record against Chelsea
While he was not able to score against Chelsea last term, Pedro did net in Brighton’s 3-2 loss at Stamford Bridge in the 2023/24 season.
It is his only goal against his future club, and he will not get a chance to add to that any time soon.
Joao Pedro’s record against Chelsea Total
Appearances 7
Assists 1
Goals 1
Via Transfermarkt
What Pedro will be able to do, however, is frustrate Arsenal supporters even more. He punished the Gunners as a Brighton player and will now have the opportunity to do the same thing again as a Chelsea star.