Just when Chelsea fans believe that BlueCo's billion-dollar project can't get any more disappointing, a new low emerges.
On Monday, it was Nottingham Forest who compounded their misery, making it six consecutive games without a Premier League victory.
Quite frankly, those in West London have got a serious case of the blues.
Co-owner and Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly in the stands before the match
But there has still been one spark. Joao Pedro, even amid the misery, still found time to get on the scoresheet in acrobatic fashion.
Chelsea must play Pedro in best role next season
Monday's acrobatics may tell a different story, but Pedro is not an out-and-out No.9. He never has been.
joao-pedro-chelsea
The Brazilian's profile is that of a player who thrives dropping deep and linking play between midfield and the front line.
It speaks volumes of the player that Chelsea have at their disposal that Pedro has still stolen the show when asked to lead the line.
There is still so much more to come, though. The former Brighton man would reach another level entirely if the Blues welcomed an additional attacker, allowing Pedro to combine and play as a deeper No.10.
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Although the curse of the No.9 weighs heavy at Stamford Bridge, it is yet to drown their summer signing. But he can't keep the ship afloat on his own.
Pedro needs backup and he needs the 'best player in the world' if he is to steer a sinking ship towards its former glory.
Harry Kane would end Chelsea's striker curse
On paper, asking a Tottenham legend to join Chelsea may sound absurd. Impossible, even. Yet, just talk to Mauricio Pochettino and he'll tell you that when the Blues come calling, it can be a difficult proposal to turn down.
That, alone, should give Harry Kane plenty to ponder.
According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea have been in close contact to sign Kane over the last 12 months and are willing to adapt their internal policy of focusing on young players, rather than signing those of the forward's age.
harry-kane-bayern-munich
Kane is not currently thinking about a return to England, amid hopes of a Bayern extension, yet there's no harm in trying as far as Chelsea are concerned, particularly with the striker still eyeing Alan Shearer's Premier League record.
A player of that quality is certainly worth the pursuit, even if that pursuit ends in rejection.
In terms of strikers, there isn't a better option on the planet than Kane. Even in terms of players, The iPaper's Daniel Storey went as far as to dub the England star the "best player in the world", and it's becoming increasingly difficult to argue with that statement.
League stats 25/26 Kane Pedro
Minutes 2,202 2,494
Goals 33 15
Assists 5 5
Successful take-ons 30 33
Chances created 38 29
Although it's easy to write Pedro off in a world that sees Kane head to Chelsea, it would actually birth an incredible partnership in West London.
In one, blockbuster move, the Blues can finally hand the Brazilian a world-class player to play off - something he's not had since Cole Palmer's small mid-season flurry.
Harry Kane goals per season (timeless)
As a goalscorer, Kane is on another level. As a creator, however, Pedro isn't a world away. The Chelsea man has created just nine fewer chances than the Bayern man this season, and that's in an attack which has scored just one goal in their last six Premier League games.
Simply put, the Brazilian's chance creation is being wasted by his current teammates.
Joao-Pedro
A lot needs to change at Chelsea this summer. The curse of the No.9 has spread beyond the striker role to the very core of the club.
Yet, all is not lost just yet. Pedro remains a beacon of hope and Kane, all whilst betraying Tottenham, would turn that hope into much-needed success in West London.
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