While Chelsea’s draw against Burnley is a source of more frustration among supporters, Joao Pedro continued his stunning form, and Ben Foster admits he’s changed his mind on the Brazilian.
The draw against Burnley has further hindered Chelsea’s chances of Champions League qualification after Leeds United came from two goals down to draw. Liam Rosenior says Chelsea have set fire to four points.
The result is that Chelsea now sit in fifth position on goal difference ahead of Liverpool, while Man United have stolen a march on the race to finish in fourth. Their 1-0 win over Everton sees them sit three ahead.
Europa League Olivier Giroud or Club World Cup Joao Pedro?
Who are you going with, Chelsea fans? 🔥
Olivier Giroud's European record at Chelsea
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Gary Lineker believes Chelsea will finish in sixth place now, with the Blues’ run of fixtures much tougher than the likes of Liverpool and Man United. But Joao Pedro is a shining light amid the recent struggles.
Ben Foster discusses the form of his old Watford teammate Pedro
Pedro is now on the verge of producing his best goalscoring league campaign throughout his entire career. The Brazilian now has 11 goals for Chelsea in the Premier League, level with his 2022-23 season.
The former Watford star, who played alongside Foster at Watford, has often been seen as a striker who can play in other positions. Paul Merson thinks Pedro dropping deep actually hinders Cole Palmer.
Joao Pedro of Chelsea looks on
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But, Foster believes that his old pal can actually become the kind of striker who can score 25 goals in an entire season. Indeed, Pedro now has 14 goals in all competitions, while also laying on eight assists.
“It’s incredible for Joao, because he’s not an out-and-out striker, not an out-and-out scorer. I was with Joao at Watford, and sometimes he playing on the right wing, in midfield,” Foster said on his podcast.
“He’s not that guy that is going to score 25 goals, but I’m looking at him thinking, do you know what, maybe you can be that man. and turn into that. He’s such a good lad, a hard worker. Happy for him.”
Will Joao Pedro get the chance to continue his Chelsea form?
The striker situation at Chelsea is an intriguing one. Pedro has been immense for Chelsea this season in all four formats, as well as scoring goals in the Club World Cup last summer. But what next for Pedro?
Joao Pedro is the CLOSEST Chelsea have had to Didier Drogba since he left… 👀
What do you think?
This summer, Chelsea are set to welcome back Nicolas Jackson while Emmanuel Emegha is set to join the club from Strasbourg in the summer. That will take the total of strikers at Chelsea to a total of five.
Liam Delap could leave with five Premier League clubs keen, while Marc Guiu may go on loan. There is still some calling for Chelsea to sign another striker, with Dusan Vlahovic one of a few strikers being linked.
It must be remembered that Pedro is still in his first season at Chelsea. Pedro himself admitted he played with an injury during the first half of the season. Give Pedro time, and he can heed Foster’s prediction.
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