Frank Leboeuf really liked what he saw from Joao Pedro in Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
The forward scored the winner for Enzo Maresca’s side, helping them to climb up to sixth in the Premier League table.
After the game, Pedro was quick to thank Moises Caicedo, who assisted his goal after some really aggressive pressing.
Leboeuf has made sure to give the Brazilian credit, though, after his performance in Chelsea’s latest London derby success.
Chelsea and France legend Frank Leboeuf holding World Cup trophy
Photo by MARTIN SYLVEST/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
Frank Leboeuf thinks Chelsea benefitted from Joao Pedro’s runs
Pedro’s control and finish for his goal against Tottenham were excellent, but what really impressed Leboeuf on the day was his movement and how it helped his Chelsea teammates.
Speaking on ESPN FC, the Chelsea legend said: “Everybody worked hard. They were solid at the back, strong in the middle, trying, working hard, Joel Pedro working for everybody. I mean, the runs, all the runs that he made were useful for everybody.”
Maresca is also very happy with Pedro right now, stating that there have never been any problems with the 24-year-old despite his lack of goals of late.
Before slotting the ball past Guglielmo Vicario at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Pedro had not scored since the end of August.
Hopefully the goals now start to flood in, and he has the perfect opportunity to add to his tally this Saturday when Chelsea take on Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Wolves have been in dire form this season and sit at the foot of the Premier League table.
Enzo Fernandez and Joao Pedro applaud the Chelsea fans after beating Tottenham in the Premier League.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
What the stats say about Joao Pedro’s performance against Tottenham
Pedro will be glad that he managed to end his goal drought, while it came in the perfect game: a London derby against Chelsea’s fierce London rivals.
However, the Brazil international could have had a hat-trick, and the stats back that up.
For example, in total, Pedro took five shots and missed two big chances. If Spurs equalised, he probably would have come in for criticism after the game for not being clinical enough.
Joao Pedro’s stats vs Tottenham Total
Minutes 90
Goals 1
Shots 5
Shots on target 5
Big chances missed 2
xG 1.86
Via Sofascore
Going forward, Owen Hargreaves also thinks Pedro needs to be more selfish. Clearly, the former Brighton & Hove Albion player has things to work on, but he is on the right path following his performance against Thomas Frank’s side.