Chelsea signed forwards Joao Pedro and Liam Delap in the summer - here is how they have fared at Stamford Bridge
Liam Delap and Joao Pedro of Chelsea celebrate at final whistle after the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final
Liam Delap and Joao Pedro of Chelsea celebrate at final whistle after the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final
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As Newcastle United searched for a new forward in the summer transfer window, their pursuit took them in many different directions.
But at the start of the window, two forwards who featured prominently in their thinking were Ipswich Town's Liam Delap and Brighton and Hove Albion star Joao Pedro.
Delap had a £30million release clause after the Tractor Boys' relegation from the Premier League and his 12-goal haul for a side that went down, coupled with a modest transfer fee, made him an attractive proposition.
Joao Pedro had come off the back of a 20-goal season in all competitions in 2023/24 and a 10-goal haul in the 2024/25 Premier League and Newcastle were keen to add him to their ranks.
As it transpired, Chelsea won the race for Delap and then the attraction of living in London also convinced Pedro to move to Stamford Bridge in a deal worth up to £60million, as the Blues won the race for both of their signatures.
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Both players signed in time to feature in the Club World Cup, with Pedro bagging three goals and Delap grabbing a goal and assists en route to Enzo Maresca's side winning the competition over the summer.
After a long drawn out search for two new forwards following the departures of Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, Newcastle eventually wound up signing Nick Woltemade for a club record £69million fee from Stuttgart and Yoane Wissa for £55million from Brentford.
Woltemade has scored four goals in his opening seven appearances for the Magpies but Wissa is yet to feature after picking up a knee injury on international duty with DR Congo.
By contrast, Pedro has two goals in seven Premier League appearances for the Blues, while Delap has been out injured after picking up a knock in the third league game of the season.
But to get a true gauge of how well they have started in West London after snubbing moves to Newcastle, Chronicle Live has spoken to Football.London's Chelsea correspondent Bobby Vincent to get the inside track.
What was it that attracted Chelsea to move for Pedro and Delap?
"I understand Chelsea wanted two out-and-out No 9s and one versatile forward going into the season. The plan was for Delap and Nicolas Jackson to be the two orthodox strikers and Joao Pedro to be the one who can occupy multiple positions.
"Chelsea were not planning on offloading Jackson but as soon as he told the club he wanted to leave, they did not stand in his way. Delap really impressed for a fairly poor Ipswich side last season and Chelsea believe he has the potential to be England’s first-choice striker in years to come.
"Joao Pedro, meanwhile, is viewed as a versatile attacker who has the magic to unlock defences, particularly low blocks."
How have they started at Chelsea?
"Delap showed promise at the Club World Cup without setting the world alight. Likewise in the opening two matches of the season, but in the third game, he limped off injured. He is set to be out until at least November, which has been really difficult for the striker.
"Joao Pedro, meanwhile, has been excellent. He did set the world alight in the Club World Cup and continued such form in the opening three matches of the campaign.
"However, in recent weeks, he has been struggling with his fitness. Enzo Maresca has conceded the Brazilian is not 100% fit and that has shown somewhat with a few sub-par performances."
When Delap is fit, who will be Chelsea's first choice forward?
"Chelsea will have so many games this season and Maresca loves to rotate. The Blues head coach did really well in that regard last term and gave a lot of players minutes in all competitions.
"So I’m not sure there really is a ‘first-choice’ striker, so to speak, but if they were playing the Champions League final tomorrow and everyone was fit, my money would be on Joao Pedro leading the line."
From what you have seen so far, do you expect both signings to be a success when it's all said and done at the end of this season?
"Certainly Joao Pedro. Not as sure on Delap given his stop-start season thus far. It could take him a while to get going but I have no doubt overall, Chelsea will reap the rewards for a fairly modest £30million fee."