As we walk into the off season, the Blues have started looking to compound on their current roster in the summer transfer window as the West Londoners look to evolve their attacking roster given how the current side has one problem – Chelsea didn’t have a consistent player who can operate in multiple roles in the final third and despite the significant investments that the club has made into bringing the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, and Mykhailo Mudryk to Stamford Bridge but none of them have offered the needed blend of availability, clinical presence and tactical versatility that the current system demands and this is where Brighton forward Joao Pedro comes in…
The Brazilian has exploded at American Express Stadium following a record move from Watford, and despite his young age, he has shown that he possesses a mature brain and multiple traits, making him a high-priority target for the West Londoners going into the 2025 summer transfer window.
So what does Joao Pedro bring to Chelsea?
Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are all keeping tabs on Joao Pedro. (Image Credit: Football Transfers)
The first thing that the 23-year-old brings to Stamford Bridge is his tactical versatility. He can play in the middle of the park, where he can also feature with his back to the goal and spin off the opponents’ centre-backs. He can also feature in a second striker role where he drops deep and links in the midfield. Pedro is also effective when he plays in an inverted left wing role where he is very effective, especially when he cuts in onto his right foot. The former Watford ace can also feature in a false nine role given how he is intelligent with his movements and how he has a really high technical IQ. So his fluidity between positions fits ideally in a rotational front line that Enzo Maresca likes in his side. He can operate as a pressing forward, a creative second striker, or also as a box poacher.
When I am talking about him in front of goal, in a way he does possess a distinct calmness when he gets in front of the goal (something we don’t usually see from Nicolas Jackson). And moreover, he has that ability to put the ball into the net from different situations, as we have seen him being potent with his headers, cut-backs, driven low shots, and one-touch finishes as well.
Given how the Blues have been frustrating clinically, bringing in someone who is a natural xG over performance is precisely what the attack lacks.
Then talking about his off-the-ball movements, he does understand when to attack space and when to check short. And this way he more than often ends up dragging defenders out, opening lanes for midfielders or overlapping full-backs.
Where does Pedro fare against Chelsea’s current forward options?
If I am talking about Nicolas Jackson, he has been really erratic when it comes to finishing, and having the Brighton ace will help Enzo rotate, giving some space to the former to develop. While then comes
Christopher Nkunku, the Frenchman, is a hybrid striker but is injury-prone, and having the Brazilian means the West Londoners will have a natural cover for Nkunku if injured, especially as a second striker.
Brighton–Chelsea do share some transfer history of late…
Chelsea boss Graham Potter on the Palace win and Mykhailo Mudryk signing .
Chelsea brought Graham Potter from Brighton. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Moisés Caicedo – £115M (2023)
Marc Cucurella – £62M (2022)
Graham Potter + backroom staff – (2022)
The Seagulls have been willing to sell to Chelsea but always at a hefty price. Given how they operate, they always like to take up maximum value for their assets, and while Pedro reportedly has no fixed release clause, some outlets think that £70–100M would be enough to persuade Brighton to sell him. And the fact that the Blues are continually willing to pay that premium to buy players from the English top tier should keep the West Londoners in the hunt for Pedro.
Author Opinion
If you were to ask me, Chelsea should definitely be looking to sign Joao Pedro if the pricing point isn’t a concern. If the Blues do sign him, they will get a player who is not just a finisher but more of someone who enhances their system. And given how he can either replace Jackson, cover Nkunku, or rotate withh, it is an added value to the roster at Stamford Bridge.