Joao Pedro has probably been Chelsea’s best signing from the 2025 summer transfer window.
It did not take long for Pedro to make an impact at the club, with the forward scoring three goals en route to his side winning the Club World Cup last July.
Since then, Pedro has managed to deliver for Chelsea in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Out of Andrey Santos, Joao Pedro and Estevao Willian, who deserves a World Cup place the most?🤔
Carlo Ancelotti thinks it's Estevao…
Joao Pedro, Andrey Santos and Estevao Willian's World Cup chances
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images
Yet former England striker Darren Bent still has his doubts about the 24-year-old.
Darren Bent during the Movember Tats
Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images
Darren Bent unconvinced with Chelsea’s signing of Joao Pedro
Bent was recently asked to grade Chelsea’s business from the 2025 summer transfer window and only gave Pedro a 6/10 rating.
The ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa star made it clear that he is not completely sold on the Brazilian yet.
Discussing Pedro on talkSPORT, Bent said: “Joao Pedro, I’ve put a question mark. I’ve gone six, but I’ve put question mark because I’m not quite sure yet. Brilliant in the Club World Cup, then bit of a lean spell, recently again he’s come to the fore, started to score goals again. I’m still unconvinced.”
What more is he expecting at this stage of the season? 🤔
Darren Bent quote on Chelsea forward Joao Pedro
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse
It is a big year for the former Brighton & Hove Albion man, who is hoping to participate at the 2026 World Cup.
There are no guarantees that Pedro will be called up by Brazil, but his current form certainly gives him a good chance.
If Pedro can maintain it, he should be on the plane to North America this summer.
Joao Pedro of Chelsea during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Chelsea
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Joao Pedro has been an 8/10 signing
Considering the form that Pedro is in and the overall impact he has made at Chelsea since his arrival from Brighton last year, you just cannot agree with Bent.
In his last six games across all competitions, he has scored five goals, which includes a stunning brace against Napoli in the Champions League.
In total, Pedro has netted 12 times and provided five assists in 33 outings this season. It is a return that the Brazil international can be happy with.
Without him, Chelsea may not have won the Club World Cup either. It was his two goals against Fluminense that saw the Blues make it to the final, where they beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 thanks to Pedro’s clever finish and Cole Palmer’s double.
Ultimately, Pedro has been much closer to an eight or nine than the six Bent has given him. His take on the Chelsea forward is one of the worst assessments to have been made in this campaign.
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