Joao Pedro was the star of the show for Chelsea on Wednesday night as the Brazilian took the game by the scruff of the neck and score two second-half goals for Liam Rosenior’s men.
Pedro came into the game in good form having scored twice in two Premier League games for Chelsea, netting against Palace on Sunday after getting his name on the score sheet in the win over Brentford.
Chelsea went into half-time, losing 2-1. Enzo Fernandez’s penalty had been cancelled out by Antonio Vergara and Rasmus Hojlund at the end of the first 45, but Rosenior and Chelsea remained confident.
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Pedro hauled Chelsea level when he unleashed a left-footed pile driver from 25 yards into the top corner. Then, the former Watford ace finished off a quick counter-attack with his other foot, an excellent finish.
Joao Pedro discusses Liam Rosenior and Enzo Maresca’s styles
The win sees Chelsea finish in sixth place out of 36 clubs and book a place in the last 16 without the worry of the play-offs. Rosenior has made a superb start and Pedro was asked about his new gaffer last night.
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Asked by Jamie Carragher on CBS Sports, Pedro said Rosenior is looking for more intensity at Chelsea, while making the Blues more compact. He claims Maresca was more about what Chelsea did with the ball.
“I think Liam is electric,” Pedro said, as Carragher, Micah Richards and Thierry Henry awaited his answer. “He wants to play with more intensity, to be more compact. If you see my second goal, I was low.
“He wants us to come low to connect the team and create space for others to run behind. Enzo is more with the ball; he’s very good. But that’s the main difference,” Pedro continued on the differences.
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Rosenior’s approach in the media is quite clearly to boost the confidence of his stars. It is difficult to find a Chelsea player he has not described as outstanding or magnificent, but it is clearly working for Rosenior.
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The players are buying into his approach and why wouldn’t they, after five wins from six. Joe Cole told TNT Sports that he thinks Chelsea could have lost that game, had Maresca remained in the Blues dugout.
”Liam is still getting his style of play. But the one thing is character. A Chelsea team, going behind, could’ve got rolled over a few months ago. He’s instilled something in them,” Cole said on the 3-2 win.
Chelsea’s focus on the Champions League can now switch off for a bit, with West Ham up next on the weekend and then the second leg against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final next week.
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