Chelsea’s second game of the new Premier League season saw them travel to the London Stadium to take on West Ham United.
In the same fixture last year, Nicolas Jackson won the game for Chelsea after scoring two goals before setting up Cole Palmer in a 3-0 victory.
However, with the striker set to possibly depart Stamford Bridge this summer, he was not included in the Blues’ matchday squad.
One player who was, though, was Joao Pedro. And the Brazilian was able to make a positive impact at both ends of the pitch.
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammate Joao Pedro
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Chelsea fans impressed with Joao Pedro’s defending at set-pieces
It was Pedro who equalised for Chelsea before Pedro Neto scored to put the Blues in front for the first time on the night.
The forward also played his part in helping the team to defend set-pieces in their 5-1 win, which really impressed supporters.
Responding to the above tweet, one Chelsea fan simply said: “That hits differently.”
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Another Chelsea supporter on X wrote: “Pedro has got so many qualities on the pitch, he should play every match.”
One other user on the social media platform posted: “Oh, nice. I wasn’t the only one who noticed. He saves us at that back post.”
Another Chelsea supporter noticed Pedro doing the same thing at the Club World Cup: “During CWC as well.”
Before the West Ham game, Enzo Maresca discussed Pedro, claiming that the 23-year-old could play in five attacking positions.
Joao Pedro of Chelsea celebrates after scoring
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Joao Pedro one of the signings of the summer
It is still early days, while Chelsea spent a lot of money on Pedro, but the former Brighton & Hove Albion man is already looking like one of the deals of the summer.
He helped Chelsea to win the Club World Cup after scoring three goals at the tournament and now he is making an impact in the Premier League.
In the build up to Friday’s London derby, West Ham manager Graham Potter was very complimentary of his former club Chelsea.
When Potter discussed Chelsea, he described them as a “top team” who are in a “really good moment”.
Maresca‘s side, of course, arrived at the London Stadium as world champions after winning the Club World Cup last month.