Joao Pedro is on course to rival Didier Drogba’s numbers in his first season as a Chelsea player, and John Terry is the latest to be incredibly impressed by the Brazilian.
Pedro’s late goal against Wrexham brought his tally for the season to 18 already, with nine assists to go with it despite only joining over the summer.
He has hit new heights since the hiring of Liam Rosenior as manager, and is on track to be Chelsea’s top scorer in an individual season since Drogba’s 37 goals in the 2009/10 season.
Discuss: Joao Pedro is the new Didier Drogba 🔥
Numbers prior to Wrexham win.
John Terry compares Joao Pedro to Didier Drogba
Terry featured alongside the Ivorian in that season, and has seen similarities in Pedro’s game with the striker he played with.
He said on his TikTok that Pedro is getting Chelsea up the pitch when they are under pressure, something which Drogba did so well in his prime at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “Big praise from Liam Rosenior this week for Joao Pedro, who’s been in excellent form and we’re very lucky to have him.
FBL-EUR-C1-CHELSEA-TRAINING
Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
“Goals has to be at the forefront of every striker’s mind, and he’s only going to add to that as the season goes on. I think his link-up play this year has been excellent. It’s got better week after week, and that’s only going to grow and improve as he grows and gets a little bit older.
“It enables you to hit him – we had it when Didier played – you can hit him when you’re under a little bit of pressure, and get yourself up the pitch and in the opposition half more importantly.
“He’s certainly up there with the best strikers in the league this season.”
Pedro is playing with a brilliant level of confidence right now, and the difference he made to the Chelsea side when he was subbed on against Wrexham was staggering.
Even before his goal, the Brazil international brought a level of control to Rosenior’s side who were desperately lacking it before his introduction.
He will be up for the fight when it comes to Chelsea’s next game in the Champions League against PSG, a side who he has already scored against in his second start as a Blue during the Club World Cup.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox