Joao Pedro emphatically proves Enzo Maresca wrong after £60m Chelsea admission
Joao Pedro has been one of the few overperforming players at Stamford Bridge this season with the Chelsea forward hitting the 20-goal mark in the recent defeat to Nottingham Forest
Joao Pedro has scored 20 goals in his debut season for Chelsea(Image: Chris Lee – Chelsea FC)
Calum McFarlane is not surprised Joao Pedro has settled into life as Chelsea’s talisman with such ease, after the Brazilian scored his 20th goal of the season last time out against Nottingham Forest.
While the Blues have endured an underwhelming campaign – even if they do go onto win the FA Cup – Joao Pedro has been a constant in the attack. Arriving from Brighton for a £60million package last summer, there were a few eyebrows raised at the signing, but the Brazil international, who is hoping to lead the line for Carlo Ancelotti’s team in this summer’s World Cup, has taken to life at Stamford Bridge like a fish to water.
Joao Pedro now has 20 goals in all competitions going into this afternoon’s trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool – the first time a Chelsea striker has reached that figure since Diego Costa in the 2016/17 campaign.
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While Joao Pedro continues to surprise a lot of the footballing world with his goal return in his debut season in west London, interim head coach McFarlane is not shocked at all.
“He’s scored some amazing goals this season,” explained McFarlane. “He brings a lot to the team. He’s got a lot of talent. He hasn’t surprised me. I see his talent every day – I see what he’s capable of in the Premier League matches and Champions League matches. So, no, it hasn’t surprised me. I think he is a top, top talent.”
His excellence in front of goal this season will come as a surprise to former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, who said this in October: “He’s going to score goals with us. He’s going to give us assists, knowing that Joao Pedro is not a No.9 that is going to score 20 goals each year. He’s a different kind of No.9, like this kind of No.9 that they score 20-25 goals each year like Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland.”
During his time at Chelsea, Joao Pedro has also been used in the No.10 role behind the striker, but McFarlane thinks the 24-year-old is most comfortable leading the line.
“I would agree that at the moment, he’s probably looking like he’s most comfortable in the No.9 position, but I think with his skill set and his talent and physicality, he can play in various roles. So, I wouldn’t pigeonhole him to one.”
Joao Pedro’s 20th goal of the season proved to be a mere consolation in the 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest earlier in the week, where once again Chelsea’s attitude was questioned. However, McFarlane has insisted, going into this afternoon’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool, motivating the young squad is not difficult, and there remains a hunger and desire to enjoy a successful conclusion to the campaign.
“It’s not that hard,” McFarlane said about motivating his players. “They are elite players who have got to this level by having the talent and the mentality and drive. It’s just about bringing it out.
“You don’t get to play for this level or club or countries these guys play for if you don’t have that. It is just about supporting them and doing as much as we can as a staff and giving them everything they need to go out on the pitch and perform.”
