Newcastle United are frustrated that they are missing out on Joao Pedro, and Ben Foster has just explained exactly why.
The 23-year-old had been Newcastle United’s top target, but he is not heading to St James’ Park. Joao Pedro wants to sign for Chelsea, with the Blues offering him a seven-year deal to move to Stamford Bridge.
It is an offer he is going to accept, as Newcastle United miss out on Joao Pedro for the second time in three years. In 2022, it was Newcastle who pulled out of signing Pedro. In 2025, it is Pedro who his pulling out of signing for Newcastle.
Instead, Chelsea will benefit from the Brazilian forward’s outstanding talents.
Joao Pedro celebrates scoring for Brighton against Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Ben Foster explains what Joao Pedro will bring to Chelsea
They are talents that Ben Foster knows all about, having played alongside him at Watford.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Foster has explained what Pedro will bring to Chelsea ahead of his £50million+ move from Brighton.
“First of all, he’s a great lad,” he said.
“Really hard working player. Really aggressive. Runs his socks off. Doesn’t give the defenders a minute of peace.
“He’s really started to add goals into his game. He scored a lot of penalties, don’t get me wrong, but some of the goals he did score just came about from real hard work and tenacity.
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“Chelsea will really appreciate that. I think that’s the bit they’ve been missing with Nkunku and Jackson, really pressing, shutting someone down with intent.”
There is no substitute for hard work, especially not at Newcastle United. Under Eddie Howe, intensity is our identity. When his side are at their best, they are a pressing machine that can suffocate their opponent.
Newcastle press from the front, setting traps for the opposition and pouncing on mistakes.
When you consider that and reflect on what Foster said about Pedro, it is easy to understand why Howe wanted to add him to his Newcastle United squad.
The Brazil international would have been an exceptional addition, boasting the kind of attributes that you need to be a successful Eddie Howe player. He also has the versatility that the Newcastle United manager loves, with Pedro eyed as an Isak competitor and an option out wide.
Instead, it is Enzo Maresca who will benefit from Pedro’s work ethic. As for Newcastle United, their search for attacking reinforcements continues despite their best efforts.