It didn’t take much convincing for those who hand out the man of the match award, to give it to Chelsea’s Joao Pedro last night. The Brazilian scored twice as Chelsea secured a 3-2 win over Napoli.
A crucial match for Chelsea and probably the biggest of Liam Rosenior’s short Chelsea stint. His sixth match in charge saw the former Strasbourg manager share a touchline with Chelsea icon Antonio Conte.
A fifth win in that time, as Chelsea came from 2-1 down at half-time to win 3-2. Joao Pedro was crucial to the win, scoring twice in the second half. £60m Pedro has four goals in four matches in all competitions.
Newcastle, PSG, Qarabag or Monaco – who are YOU picking? 👀
Chelsea's possible last 16 opponents…
The four teams Chelsea could face in the last 16
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They progress to the last 16 without the need for a play-off. Chelsea will face one of four sides; Newcastle, Club World Club Final opponents PSG, Azerbaijan side Qarabag or struggling French outfit Monaco.
Joao Pedro the first Chelsea player to match Olivier Giroud’s feat
Back in 2020, Chelsea fans will remember Olivier Giroud incredibly scored four times during a 4-0 win for the Blues away at La Liga side Sevilla. An incredible evening for the French striker, who is now with Lille.
Napoli v Chelsea - UEFA Champions League
Photo by Isabella Bonotto/Anadolu via Getty Images
Since then, no Chelsea player has managed to score two or more goals in a Champions League match away from home. Until, Wednesday night, when Pedro got on the end of Cole Palmer’s perfect pass.
The last player to specifically score a brace, and not just two or more goals, was Willian when he netted twice against Qarabag – one of Chelsea’s four potential last 16 opponents – during a 4-0 win in 2017.
If there was any doubt, Joao Pedro is absolutely first choice
What Pedro produced in the second half against Napoli was genuinely world-class. His left-footed strike for his first was a thing of beauty, while his second was clinical and the sign of a man in excellent form.
Joao Pedro was Chelsea’s Player of the Match, but who was the best supporting act?
Napoli 2-3 Chelsea
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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This is a player with huge potential, and now, given the backing of a manager that rates him highly and first choice in front of Liam Delap and Marc Guiu, Pedro has the chance to go and shine under Rosenior.
Clips of Rosenior interrupting Pedro’s post-match interview have surfaced on social media, while Rosenior says he’s had Pedro in his office four times in the last week. The two have a bond, and it is clearly working.
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