Following an outstanding start to life at Chelsea, Joao Pedro should have a spring in his step after joining up with Brazil’s squad during the international break.
Several Chelsea players have international call-ups, including Joao Pedro with South American giants Brazil. The Blues star will hope to impress during a couple of World Cup qualifiers against Chile (5 September) and Bolivia (10 September).
Pedro, 23, should be in good spirits because everything has worked out perfectly for him in the last two months since leaving Brighton.
The versatile attacker starred as Chelsea won the Club World Cup in the summer, plus he’s been their best performer in the opening weeks of the new Premier League season. Ultimately, the Brazilian star has five goals and two assists in six competitive appearances for the Blues.
Daniel Sturridge’s early assessment of Pedro at Chelsea is that he loves the signing.
- READ MORE: As well as Joao Pedro, Chelsea pulled off an absolute masterstroke in the summer transfer window
Carlo Ancelotti sees Joao Pedro as a striker
Carlo Ancelotti, the Brazil manager, has revealed the interesting plan that he will use Chelsea’s Pedro as the central striker in the upcoming World Cup qualifier. However, he’s enjoyed seeing the 23-year-old doing well recently for his club in a deeper role as a number 10.
Ancelotti said via Globo: “(João Pedro) plays centre-forward. In Chelsea’s last game, he played as a number 10. These things are good for him, as he can play as a number 10 or centre-forward. In tomorrow’s game, he’ll play as a centre-forward. Behind him, we’ll see.”
In such a short space of time, Chelsea supporters have already seen Pedro shine as a number 9 and a number 10. He’s shown in the past he’s got the ability to cover wide areas, too.
He’s scored two goals and created two assists in the opening three gameweeks of the Premier League, so let’s wait and see if he carries that form over to the international stage with Brazil.
Rio Ferdinand hailed Pedro’s transfer to Chelsea as the best value signing of the summer for £60m. That could be a real coup for the Blues if the individual establishes himself as a permanent starter for Brazil
Where Joao Pedro said his best position is
Back in July, Pedro said his best position is at striker after completing his move to Chelsea.
He’s got the technique and intelligence to operate anywhere in the final third, but we really like him close to the penalty box because he’s got unreal composure in front of goal. The early signs are that he can smash a 20-goal season during his debut year in Chelsea colours.
If everyone’s fit at Stamford Bridge, we guess that Pedro would lead the line as the centre-forward, while Cole Palmer pulls the strings from the number 10 role.
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