The London is Blue podcast’s “South America special” was mainly looking at Estevao Willian, but there was also some discussion about Joao Pedro, who played 25 minutes for Brazil against Senegal last week.
“When Joao Pedro was first called up to Brazil, they weren’t playing in the formation they are now,” their Brazilian pundit Jessica Frota explained.
“When they started using a 4-2-4 with a flexible front four [under Carlo Ancelotti], he was injured. So he didn’t get much experience of that. He got minutes this week against Senegal, a few minutes to sort of experience it, and you can really see with the flexibility how comfortable he was. Moving around the pieces and understanding each other.”
You can see them discussing his position in the clip embedded here:
🌟 @Je_Frota: Joao Pedro got minutes here in the [4-2-4] against Senegal, he got a few minutes to kind of experience the formation. And you can really see with the flexibility, how comfortable he was, with the pieces moving around and understanding each other.
🎧👉… pic.twitter.com/s4F3vBGcjv
— London Is Blue Podcast ⭐️⭐️ (@LondonBluePod) November 20, 2025
What Chelsea can learn from JP international cameo
Joao Pedro in action against Wolves.
Joao Pedro in action against Wolves. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
So what do we conclude from all that? Chelsea are hardly going to start playing an all out attack Ancelotti 4-2-4 anytime soon. But it is another reminder that Joao Pedro, despite his size and physical presence, isn’t a big number nine who’s going to hold the ball up.
The more players he has around him the better he plays, and the sooner Chelsea can get their most effective attackers on the pitch with him the better for him and the team. Liam Delap’s return to lead the line has already helped – now let’s get Cole Palmer feeding him the ball.
In other news…
Cole Palmer has been bulking up in the gym during his time out, and that’s getting some fans a little worry that he might lose some of his sparkle. We’re not so worried.
Yesterday saw some duelling transfer news as both Fabrizio Romano and Ben Jacobs disagreed over the future of a Chelsea player.
More Stories about Joao Pedro
John Terry Premier league Hall of Fame induction.
Joao Pedro with a Chelsea logo.
Pedro Neto with a Chelsea logo.