Maresca landed some big signings this summerplaceholder image
Maresca landed some big signings this summer | Getty Images
Chelsea might have made the signing of the summer, according to one pundit.
One of Chelsea’s signing has been lauded as one of the best signings of the summer transfer window after getting off to a strong start at Stamford Bridge.
Pedro has scored twice in three Premier League games for Chelsea since arriving on a £60million deal in the summer, and Enzo Maresca will be delighted with the Brazilian’s early impact.
There were some huge signings this summer, including Liverpool spending more than £200million combined on Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, while Arsenal splashed big on the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze.
But according to Rio Ferdinand, Pedro might be the best signing of the summer when it comes to the best value for money. “I think Pedro is going to be the best value, Joao Pedro at Chelsea, out of all the [summer] transfers,” he told his YouTube channel. “I think he’s a great mix and a great addition to the Chelsea squad.
“He can play centre-forward. He can play as a ten, I see him as a little bit of an 8/10 in the team. I think he’s a really, really, really good addition.”
Universal praise
Pedro made an excellent start to life at Chelsea after scoring twice immediately during a Club World Cup clash with Fluminense. Speaking after that game, Enzo Maresca said: “We knew against a low block that Joao was going to help us because he has quality in the last third against teams that defend deep. He showed today how good he is, but it’s just the beginning.
“We knew already how good Joao is. Today, he was playing a little deep, and we know how good he is at dropping and linking [with his team-mates]. He is very good technically in small spaces, and that’s why we decided to bring him here.”
After that game, Real Madrid legend Gareth Bale said: “It's not just the goals, it's the link-up play, the passing and the vision. Even just coming into a new team and trying to understand your teammates is very difficult as well. It was a great all round performance and he thoroughly deserved the player of the match.
"I'm not saying Brighton are a small club but he has made the next step up to a team that are playing Champions League and challenging for trophies. He is on the right trajectory and I think if he keeps his feet on the ground and keeps working hard - you can see the ability he has so hopefully he can keep ticking on."
West Ham striker Callum Wilson, who was on pundit duty that day, added: “He's already a player with confidence but he will have wanted to hit the ground running straight away and that's exactly what he has done.
"Now he will have even more confidence because he's scored not one but two goals. I preferred the first goal because he's dropped outside the area and has no other thought in his mind other than taking it on. It was a fantastic finish and what a signing he could turn out to be."
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