Joao Pedro might have been preparing for a busy summer for two reasons, but in fact, the Chelsea striker can relax until Xabi Alonso takes pre-season training in July.
Named Chelsea’s Player of the Season for 2025-26, Pedro scored 23 goals in 53 games, including the Club World Cup, while also laying on nine assists. By far, Pedro was Chelsea’s best signing of 2025-26.
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Mamadou Sarr is being slept on…
It promised a busy summer for Pedro. Firstly, Barcelona were desperate to sign Pedro as former Chelsea man Deco looked to replace the departing Robert Lewandowski. Julian Alvarez has also been linked.
Secondly, Pedro would have been well within his rights to feel confident about a call-up to the Brazil squad under Carlo Ancelotti. But Chelsea have made Pedro ‘untouchable,’ and Ancelotti called up others.
Alan Shearer cannot understand Joao Pedro’s Brazil omission
Instead, Brazil and Ancelotti included Brentford striker Igor Thiago as well as superstar Neymar despite his injury issues. Man United’s Matheus Cunha and Bournemouth wonderkid Rayan were also selected.
Alongside Pedro, midfielder Andrey Santos also missed out on the Brazil squad – but perhaps that one is more understandable. The decision not to call up Pedro has sparked controversy, and Shearer had his say.
On Netflix’s The Rest Is Football, he said: “It’s harsh, isn’t it? I think it was a big call for Ancelotti to bring Neymar back in, particularly when he hasn’t been fit, and he might not be fit for the first game or two.”
It is a surprise, and it is incredibly harsh. Shearer is bang on, and certainly, Pedro enjoyed a season good enough to convince Ancelotti. Perhaps, Ancelotti has selected Neymar to improve Brazil’s morale.
Pedro having a quiet summer is good news for Chelsea
Chelsea were woeful during 2025-26 and particularly, the second half of the season. A lot of that can be put down to BlueCo, to their managerial choice in Liam Rosenior, and that Chelsea had some injuries.
Xabi Alonso has his SEVEN Chelsea ‘untouchables’ 👀
Do you agree with them?
- Reece James
- Cole Palmer
- Joao Pedro
- Estevao Willian
- Moises Caicedo
- Josh Acheampong
- Levi Colwill
But an underrated factor was tiredness. Chelsea won the Club World Cup last summer after a gruelling Conference League campaign, and the summer prior saw players compete at Euro 2024 or Copa America.
Cole Palmer, for example, has not had time off in the last three summers. The U21 Euro Championships of 2023, Euro 2024 and then the CWC are likely to have played a part in Palmer picking up a groin issue.
Palmer was overlooked like Pedro, and both players having a summer off to recharge can only be good news. Indeed, the only thing the duo has been spotted doing is taking part in a recent Madonna video.
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