Joao Pedro scored a sensational hat-trick as Chelsea produced their best performance under Liam Rosenior to beat Aston Villa, and Rosenior told Peter Crouch just how good Pedro is.
The pressure on Chelsea to get a result and reignite their Champions League hopes was massive on Wednesday night. Especially, after Liverpool were beaten by Wolves the night before at Molineux.
Yet, Chelsea played as if there was not an ounce of pressure on them. Even when Chelsea had gone 1-0 down at Villa Park, Liam Rosenior’s men executed a game plan and were lethal in the final third.
Joao Pedro scores a perfect 10, but how would you rate his teammates?
Chelsea player ratings vs Aston Villa
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Pedro finished with a hat-trick, and Cole Palmer also got his name on the score sheet as Chelsea came from behind to win 4-1. Peter Crouch asked Liam Rosenior afterwards just how good Pedro is.
Liam Rosenior heaps praise on ‘scary’ Chelsea star Joao Pedro
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Rosenior was told by Crouch that he would pay money to watch the Brazilian forward before asking the Chelsea boss, just how good is Chelsea’s in-form goalscorer.
Rosenior and Pedro.
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Crouch said: “In regards to Joao Pedro, I’d pay money [to watch him]. Him and Cole Palmer especially. Just how good is he?”, Rosenior replied: “Scary. But all of them, the age that they are, it’s a joy to work with.
“His mentality, he’s a warrior, a brilliant footballer, but he’s strong, he’s physical. We’ve worked on his positioning in the box. Two of his goals I’m delighted with because they’re literally in the six-yard box.”
Joao Pedro under Liam Rosenior and Enzo Maresca
That was Pedro’s 41st appearance of the season for Chelsea. So far, Pedro has played 12 times under the Blues gaffer and 29 times with Enzo Maresca in charge following his £60m move from Brighton.
How many Premier League goals will Joao Pedro finish the season with? ⚽️
His hat-trick at Villa Park takes him to 14!
Chelsea's Brazilian striker #20 Joao Pedro scores
Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
In the 29 games he played for Chelsea with Maresca in the dugout, Pedro scored 10 goals and laid on four assists. A solid record. But under Rosenior, that tally of goals and assists has ballooned upwards.
Indeed, Pedro has netted 10 more goals in just 12 outings under Rosenior, including his hat-trick against Aston Villa and brace at Napoli. Not only that, but Pedro now has five assists. An incredible run of form.
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