Joao Pedro is the man of the moment for Chelsea after his recent hat-trick against Aston Villa, with Gary Lineker the latest to heap praise on the Brazil international.
Pedro was named in the Premier League Team of the Month for February, and kicked off March in style with his performance at Villa Park.
The summer signing has already outperformed Didier Drogba’s first season at Stamford Bridge. He is so often the measuring stick for strikers at the club.
Discuss: Joao Pedro is the new Didier Drogba 🔥
He's overtaken the Chelsea icon's first-season numbers.
Gary Lineker thinks Chelsea did not plan for Joao Pedro to be their striker
Despite frequently playing in the number nine role, particularly since Liam Rosenior took over at the club, Gary Lineker believes that Chelsea have changed the position they originally pictured Pedro featuring in.
He told ‘The Rest is Football’: “I don’t think they probably necessarily bought him originally as thinking he’s a nine. But I don’t know, he might be the answer to that, I think.
Joao Pedro of Chelsea celebrates scoring
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
“I mean, what’s his record in the last, it’s 17 goals in all competitions and eight Premier League goals since Rosenior took over.
“Really impressive. Yeah, very good. I mean, and credit to the coach for getting the best out of him as well.”
Enzo Maresca believed Pedro would never be a 20 goal a season striker, however the work Rosenior has done with him since coming into the club deserves immense credit.
Enzo Maresca hang your head in shame 😬
Was he the problem?
Enzo Maresca's prediction about Joao Pedro was wrong
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Liam Delap is not challenging Joao Pedro at all
The striker position has been forced on the Brazilian due to the performance levels of fellow summer signing Liam Delap.
The former Ipswich Town man has just two goals in all competitions this season, and has struggled to get up to speed after his long-term injury woes earlier this season.
There are already internal doubts about Delap, and the ruthless nature of how Chelsea operate in the transfer market could cause him some issues.
Emanuel Emegha is set to join the Blues at the end of the season, instantly bringing competition to the position, although he is instantly going to struggle if Pedro remains in the form he is right now.
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