Joao Pedro has given Xabi Alonso a problem most managers would happily accept before Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Fulham.
The Brazilian finished pre-season with seven goals, including a hat-trick against Western Sydney Wanderers and two more against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge.
After scoring 20 times and winning Chelsea’s Player of the Season award last term, his latest run has made one selection increasingly difficult to argue against.
Joao Pedro should start at Craven Cottage.
João Pedro scored seven goals in five games for Chelsea in pre-season 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/gSXRpIROwl
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 16, 2026
Joao Pedro looks undroppable for Chelsea vs Fulham
Chelsea entered the summer with considerable competition at centre-forward.
Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson and Emmanuel Emegha all provide alternatives, while Alonso has enough attacking depth to change the structure entirely if required.
Joao Pedro has responded by removing much of the debate.
His pre-season began spectacularly when he came off the bench to score a nine-minute hat-trick in the 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
He also found the net twice against AC Milan before finishing the summer with another double against Real Sociedad.
Seven goals would be encouraging in isolation. The wider context makes the run more significant.
Joao Pedro was already Chelsea’s leading scorer last season with 20 goals in all competitions and was voted the club’s Player of the Season.
Chelsea have even described him as untouchable during this summer’s transfer window after Barcelona showed interest.
His performances under Alonso are beginning to explain why.
Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer could make Joao Pedro even better
The Real Sociedad victory offered the clearest glimpse yet of Chelsea’s potential first-choice attack.
Morgan Rogers started from the left, Cole Palmer operated behind the striker and Joao Pedro led the line.
That combination gives Pedro something he thrives on: runners and creators around him.
Rogers can drive into the penalty area from wide positions, while Palmer attracts defenders between midfield and defence. Pedro can therefore move between dropping towards the ball and attacking spaces inside the box rather than being asked to perform as a fixed target man.
ReadChelsea has already examined how Rogers can operate alongside Palmer.
Pedro may be the player who benefits most from that partnership.
His first goal against Real Sociedad came from a Reece James delivery, while Malo Gusto created his second. Chelsea now have several ways to supply a striker who has spent the summer showing he can finish them.
Xabi Alonso’s biggest attacking call looks increasingly simple
There will be opportunities for Chelsea’s other forwards.
Alonso has repeatedly spoken about the importance of competition, and one strong pre-season does not guarantee an entire campaign in the starting XI.
But opening night is different.
Chelsea travel to Fulham needing to begin Alonso’s first full Premier League season strongly, and there is little reason to move away from the striker producing their most consistent output.
Joao Pedro scored 20 times last season.
He has added seven more during pre-season.
With Rogers and Palmer potentially lining up behind him at Craven Cottage, Alonso’s biggest attacking selection may already have been made for him.
Six Chelsea stars force their way into Alonso’s Fulham XI
Six Chelsea stars force their way into Alonso’s Fulham XI
Morgan Rogers takes nine minutes to answer £117m Chelsea critics
Morgan Rogers takes nine minutes to answer £117m Chelsea critics