Chelsea are in a good place again after booking their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals and Joao Pedro has earned new praise from Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
After draws against Leeds United and Burnley and a loss at The Emirates, a third Arsenal defeat in Rosenior’s spell in charge, Chelsea are back to winning ways after beating Aston Villa and Wrexham.
The race for Champions League football is back on, and Chelsea find themselves in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Joao Pedro has been crucial to that, scoring four goals in his last two games for Chelsea.
Discuss: Joao Pedro is the new Didier Drogba 🔥
Numbers prior to Wrexham win.
It is now 11 goals and five assists in 13 games under Rosenior for Pedro, having netted a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Villa and coming on as a substitute against Wrexham. Shearer and Richards are impressed.
Alan Shearer and Micah Richards praise Joao Pedro
Speaking after the win over Wrexham, Joe Cole compared Pedro to Erling Haaland, saying that while he is not the same kind of player, he is offering the same kind of threat. Pedro now has 21 Chelsea goals.
Joao Pedro of Chelsea applauds the fans
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
On Monday morning’s episode of The Rest Is Football, Shearer and Richards heaped praise on Chelsea’s £60m signing. Both attended the 4-2 extra-time win and Shearer said Pedro looked a class above.
Shearer began: “He’s a very good player, great ability. When he came on yesterday, he was a level above everyone. He stood out a mile, just with his balance, his touch and technique. All of those things.”
Then, Richards told Shearer and Lineker: “I told you about Pedro two years ago. The oracle is here. When are you guys going to start listening to me? I spotted him at Watford, Brighton, I said this guy is cooking.”
Chelsea’s chances of silverware hinge on Joao Pedro
There is no doubt that when it comes to Chelsea’s most-important player at the moment, it is Pedro. This is a player now set to lead Brazil’s attack at the World Cup under former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti.
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
A total of 16 goals and assists in 13 of Rosenior’s 15 games is stunning form. Chelsea continue to battle on three fronts; PSG in the Champions League, qualifying for the Champions League, and the FA Cup.
If Chelsea are to achieve what they have set out to do, and that is probably earn a Champions League spot as well as winning a trophy, then keeping Pedro fit, firing, and full of confidence is crucial.
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