Joao Pedro was Chelsea’s Player of the Season during 2025-26. Including his goals at the Club World Cup, Pedro scored an impressive 23 goals in 53 appearances for the Blues.
Reports say Chelsea have seven untouchables and Pedro is one of them, which is understandable. The Blues saw off interest from Barcelona at the start of the summer to keep the Brazil striker at Chelsea.
Who should be Joao Pedro’s deputy next season, Folarin Balogun or someone else?
The AS Monaco striker is being linked to Chelsea after impressing at the World Cup 🇺🇸
When Xabi Alonso names his starting line-up to play Fulham in the opening game of the season, Pedro will almost definitely start up top. The former Brighton man is one of the jewels in gaffer Alonso’s crown.
At times last season, Pedro was one of the only Chelsea players who could have some pride in his form. Alonso will be keen to get the best out of his players, so to improve Pedro would be some going.
Chelsea want Danny Welbeck, a former teammate of Joao Pedro
Priorities for Chelsea in the transfer market are Maxence Lacroix, a left-back, a box-to-box midfielder and possibly a goalkeeper. But competition for Pedro up top is also possible despite Chelsea’s pecking order.
The Blues also boast Emmanuel Emegha, Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson – though it is unlikely Chelsea start the season with all three at Stamford Bridge. So it came as a surprise to hear Chelsea’s latest target.
Brighton’s Danny Welbeck could be the next player to make the move from The Amex to West London, following his old pal Pedro as well as Moises Caicedo, Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella and plenty more.
Welbeck scored 13 Premier League goals for Brighton last season, and Chelsea are likely to view him as good cover for Pedro in the final third. A bit of much-needed experience, with Welbeck now aged 35.
Why Welbeck can make Pedro a better striker for Chelsea
Pedro played for a total of 2926 minutes in games that Welbeck also played in while at Brighton. The Brazilian striker scored 18 goals in those matches, as well as laying on five assists for the Seagulls.
Danny Welbeck to Chelsea out of nowhere! Share your thoughts below 😱
An average of a goal every 162.5 minutes for Pedro, and that was for Brighton. In a Chelsea shirt, Pedro has averaged a goal every 167.7 minutes. It’s only a small difference, but Welbeck improves Pedro.
Whether it be his experience to lean on, or simply the competition of a striker that regularly reaches double digits in the Premier League, Pedro is even better with Welbeck alongside him, or pushing him.
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