Chelsea can reflect on yet another busy summer transfer window now it has closed. According to Rio Ferdinand, one new Blues star has actually been the top value-for-money signing.
There has been yet another huge squad turnover at Stamford Bridge in the space of a few months, with fans probably struggling to keep up with all the ins and outs.
If you look at every deal Chelsea made this summer, they’ve continued the trend of recruiting plenty of talented young players. Let’s wait and see if Blues head coach Enzo Maresca can continue building on last year’s success during his debut season in charge.
Rio Ferdinand hails Joao Pedro signing at Chelsea
Rio Ferdinand has claimed that the Joao Pedro move from Brighton to Chelsea has been the “best value” transfer of the entire summer window.
When discussing Premier League transfers, Ferdinand said via Rio Ferdinand Presents: “I think Pedro is going to be the best value, Joao Pedro at Chelsea, out of all the [summer] transfers. I think he’s a great mix and a great addition to the Chelsea squad. He can play centre-forward. He can play as a 10. I see him as a little bit of an 8/10 in the team. I think he’s a really, really, really good addition.”
The Blues paid £60m (BBC) for Pedro in July as they made yet another raid on Brighton. At the moment, it looks like a real coup for them.
The 23-year-old attacker has been a talisman at his new club since he arrived, scoring five goals in six appearances across all competitions since joining.
Jamie Carragher’s assessment of Pedro is that he “looks the part” in Chelsea colours. He’s absolutely spot on because the Brazil international has quickly forced his way into Enzo Maresca’s best XI, whether that’s as a No.10 or a central striker.
Chelsea’s best signing since Cole Palmer
The early signs are that Pedro can be Chelsea’s best signing since Cole Palmer joined from Manchester City two years ago.
Like many pundits, Darren Bent’s initial reaction to Pedro joining Chelsea was that he wouldn’t improve them. However, he’s made a mockery of that already by going straight into the starting line-up, where so much of the team’s attacking success goes through him.
We’ve seen so often that certain players step their levels up when they join an elite club, and Chelsea’s No.20 looks like a natural on the big stage.
Chelsea’s forward has now joined up with Brazil’s squad for the September international break for a couple of World Cup qualifiers. Afterwards, we can’t wait to see him back with the Blues as the season shifts into gear.
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