Alan Shearer has praised Joao Pedro for the impact that he was able to make in Chelsea’s 4-2 win against Wrexham in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Pedro was only a substitute, but he was brought on in the 85th minute as the game headed towards extra time.
In the end, it was a good decision to bring Pedro on, with the striker managing to score for Chelsea. It was his 18th goal of the season but just his first in the FA Cup.
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Wrexham v Chelsea - Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round
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Alan Shearer lauds Joao Pedro’s composure and dribbling
It was a close game, even when Wrexham went down to 10 men, but Pedro was able to make a “huge difference” when he came on, according to Shearer.
His composure and dribbling really impressed the Newcastle United legend, who praised the 24-year-old at full-time.
Commentating on the FA Cup fifth-round tie for the BBC, Shearer said: “Joao Pedro has made a huge difference for this Chelsea team with his composure and his ability to run with the ball. He has options either side of him, but he chooses to go on his own. Chelsea are through to the next round.”
Former player and TV Pundit Alan Shearer
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Liam Rosenior discussed Pedro prior to the game, revealing that there has actually been some friction in conversations that they have held.
With the way that Pedro has played under Rosenior, though, you would not be able to tell.
Liam Rosenior wouldn’t swap Joao Pedro for Erling Haaland
Right now, Pedro may just be the best centre-forward in England. Pedro is close to scoring 20 Premier League goals after netting a hat-trick during the week.
Rosenior is now adamant that he would not swap the Brazilian for Erling Haaland or any other forward in the world.
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When asked whether Pedro was in the same bracket as the likes of Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane, Rosenior said in a pre-match press conference: “I talk about my players; it’s disrespectful to Erling to compare them. I don’t know Erling very well, but from the outside he looks a magnificent, world‑class striker.
“I wouldn’t swap Joao for anyone at this moment — he is showing all the qualities and attributes I want to see.”
Again, thinking about form in isolation to everything else, Pedro is one of the best strikers in the world. But Haaland, Mbappe and Kane have been doing this for much longer and produced even better numbers. With that in mind, Pedro is not just there yet, but he should be aiming to reach that level.
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