{"id":4217,"date":"2026-05-05T13:26:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T13:26:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4217"},"modified":"2026-05-05T13:26:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T13:26:27","slug":"joao-pedro-rubbing-shoulders-with-diego-costa-after-what-hes-done-at-chelsea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4217","title":{"rendered":"Joao Pedro rubbing shoulders with Diego Costa after what he&#8217;s done at Chelsea"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div q:key=\"QW_7\"><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=6v q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Joao Pedro&#39;s strike in a 3-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest on Sunday put him in exclusive company with Diego Costa and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink in Chelsea history. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6w q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-(18px) md:mt-0 mb-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6x\">Joao Pedro&#8217;s strike in a 3-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest on Sunday put him in exclusive company with Diego Costa and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink in Chelsea history. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=6y q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Pedro&#39;s exceptional stoppage time bicycle kick ended his side&#39;s five-match run without a top-flight goal and ensured he came away from Stamford Bridge with more praise. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=6z q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"70\">Pedro&#8217;s exceptional stoppage time bicycle kick ended his side&#8217;s five-match run without a top-flight goal and ensured he came away from Stamford Bridge with more praise. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=71 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The 24-year-old has been a rare shining light for Chelsea in a dismal campaign following his move from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=72 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"73\">The 24-year-old has been a rare shining light for Chelsea in a dismal campaign following his move from Brighton &#038; Hove Albion last summer. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=74 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The Brazilian has scored a club-high 20 goals in all competitions, while notching five assists, leading by example at the top end of the pitch when many of his teammates have disappointed. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=75 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"76\">The Brazilian has scored a club-high 20 goals in all competitions, while notching five assists, leading by example at the top end of the pitch when many of his teammates have disappointed. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=77 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Joao Pedro joins exclusive Chelsea list after 15th Premier League goal<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=78 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"79\">Joao Pedro joins exclusive Chelsea list after 15th Premier League goal<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=7a q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Pedro scored his 15th Premier League goal for Chelsea with that stunning acrobatic effort against Forest, and as a result, joined an exclusive list of players. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7b q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7c\">Pedro scored his 15th Premier League goal for Chelsea with that stunning acrobatic effort against Forest, and as a result, joined an exclusive list of players. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=7d q:key=vcaa:https:\/\/twitter.com\/Squawka\/status\/2051332878579933635--><!--qv q:id=7e q:key=YFn6:mL_1--><\/p>\n<figure on:qvisible=\"q-BrvHGxj3.js#_hW(0)\" q:key=\"HU_0\" q:id=\"7f\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Only three players have scored 15+ non-penalty goals in the Premier League during their first season with Chelsea:<\/p>\n<p>\u25ce 19 &#8211; Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink<br \/>\u25ce 19 &#8211; Diego Costa<br \/>\u25c9 15 &#8211; Jo\u00e3o Pedro \ud83c\udd95<\/p>\n<p>He FINALLY ends Chelsea&#8217;s Premier League goal drought. \u26bd\ufe0f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EM8JObyLRd\">pic.twitter.com\/EM8JObyLRd<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Squawka (@Squawka) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Squawka\/status\/2051332878579933635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 4, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=7g q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>According to Squawka, only Costa and Hasselbaink - two of the club&#39;s greatest ever strikers - have scored 15+ non-penalty goals in their first season with the Blues. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7h q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7i\">According to Squawka, only Costa and Hasselbaink &#8211; two of the club&#8217;s greatest ever strikers &#8211; have scored 15+ non-penalty goals in their first season with the Blues. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=7j q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Hasselbaink plundered 19 non-penalty goals during the 2000\/01 campaign after joining for a club-record fee from Atletico Madrid, while Costa achieved the same total in 2014\/15 following his switch from the Spanish giants. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7k q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7l\">Hasselbaink plundered 19 non-penalty goals during the 2000\/01 campaign after joining for a club-record fee from Atletico Madrid, while Costa achieved the same total in 2014\/15 following his switch from the Spanish giants. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=7m q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Pedro will have an opportunity to improve on his current total in Chelsea&#39;s final three Premier League games against Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7n q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-9\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7o\">Pedro will have an opportunity to improve on his current total in Chelsea&#8217;s final three Premier League games against Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=7p q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>But either way, the former Watford striker can hold his head higher than the rest after delivering the goods under Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior, and now Calum McFarlane. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7q q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7r\">But either way, the former Watford striker can hold his head higher than the rest after delivering the goods under Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior, and now Calum McFarlane. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=7s q:key=vcaa:\n\n<h2>Chelsea will face attention for Pedro this summer<\/h2>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7t q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"scroll-mt-24 my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7u\">Chelsea will face attention for Pedro this summer<\/h2>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=7v q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Pedro&#39;s goal involvements are one of many facets to his game, with the forward&#39;s hold-up play, pressing, and creativity also impressing. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7w q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7x\">Pedro&#8217;s goal involvements are one of many facets to his game, with the forward&#8217;s hold-up play, pressing, and creativity also impressing. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=7y q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>The Brazilian is the complete striker Chelsea have been crying out for, becoming a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge through relentless consistency. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=7z q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"80\">The Brazilian is the complete striker Chelsea have been crying out for, becoming a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge through relentless consistency. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=81 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>There is no surprise that other European giants are now circling, and Barcelona see Pedro as an alternative to Julian Alvarez this summer. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=82 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"83\">There is no surprise that other European giants are now circling, and Barcelona see Pedro as an alternative to Julian Alvarez this summer. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=84 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>According to reports, Hansi Flick sees Chelsea&#39;s No. 20 as a possible long-term replacement for the legendary Robert Lewandowski. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=85 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"86\">According to reports, Hansi Flick sees Chelsea&#8217;s No. 20 as a possible long-term replacement for the legendary Robert Lewandowski. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=87 q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>Luckily for the Blues, the ball is in their court when it comes to fielding speculation, as the forward is tied down to a long-term contract that expires in 2033. <\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=88 q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-16\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"89\">Luckily for the Blues, the ball is in their court when it comes to fielding speculation, as the forward is tied down to a long-term contract that expires in 2033. <\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:key=QW_4--><!--qv q:id=8a q:key=vcaa:\n\n<p>So BlueCo would be silly to even consider selling him, and that means supporters are likely to see Pedro in a Chelsea shirt next season, with or without European football.<\/p>\n\n--><!--qv q:id=8b q:key=lY4S:mL_1--><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-17\" class=\"my-(18px) (&amp;_a):text-primary my-f-1\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8c\">So BlueCo would be silly to even consider selling him, and that means supporters are likely to see Pedro in a Chelsea shirt next season, with or without European football.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><!--qv q:id=8d q:key=1jXG:QW_5--><!--qv q:id=8e q:key=9yVI:Ef_0--><\/p>\n<div on:click=\"q-1Tftb5V2.js#s_Ytib2zHV0Tc(0 1)\" q:key=\"WY_1\" q:id=\"8f\"><!--qv q:s q:sref=8e q:key=--><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"google-news-widget\" class=\"my-5 p-4 flex items-center gap-4 rounded-lg bg-(#F0F0F0)\">\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 flex-1 items-center gap-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" class=\"shrink-0\"\/><span class=\"font-group-big text-black text-(16px)\">Add us as a preferred source on <span class=\"font-bold\">Google<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"hidden pt-(1px) leading-(1.4) md:inline\">Follow<\/span><svg viewbox=\"0 0 4 8\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"h-(12px) w-(6px) md:h-(8px) md:w-(4px)\"><path d=\"M0.5 0.5L3.5 4L0.5 7.5\" stroke=\"white\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n<p><!--\/qv--><\/div>\n<p><!--\/qv--><!--\/qv--><\/div>\n<p><script async 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