Brighton & Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler may have already told Chelsea how they can use Joao Pedro to beat his side this weekend.
Brighton travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea, who signed Pedro from them in the summer.
Chelsea are happy with Pedro right now, and it is not hard to see why. The forward has been excellent for the Blues since arriving at the club in July.
He has already racked up five goal contributions in the Premier League this season and will be looking to add to his tally on Saturday.
Fabian Hurzeler believes Joao Pedro is ‘unbelievable’ in possession
Hurzeler will be well aware of the threat that Pedro carries after managing the Brazilian for a year and knows how to get the best out of him.
For the German, you have to get Pedro on the ball because of how “unbelievable” he is in possession.
Speaking about his former player after one game last year (via The Independent), Hurzeler said: “In possession he is unbelievable. He makes the difference for us today.
“It’s also very important to see how he works against the ball. He invests a lot out of possession. He does a lot of work in the shadow and the work that is unseen. That’s why it is very good to have him as a leader on the pitch.”
As a striker, the above is not always easy, but Pedro can also play as a No.10 and has started there in a couple of games this season.
Following an injury to Cole Palmer, Enzo Maresca used the 23-year-old as an attacking midfielder in games against West Ham United and Fulham. He managed to score in both of them, though each goal came from a corner, rather than a position that a No.10 tends to pick up.
Nevertheless, Pedro is still a dangerous player outside of the box. His first touch is excellent and he can link play well. Getting him involved in the game against Brighton, then, could be the key to beating them.
His former youth coach at Fluminense, though, thinks centre-forward is his best position. When Eduardo Oliveira recently spoke about Pedro in an interview, he said: “If he starts in a certain structure, playing as a number 9, he’s a guy who can understand and deliver a very good performance.”
Where will Joao Pedro start against Brighton?
For as good as Pedro is on the ball, Maresca will want him to lead the line and get into the box to convert Chelsea’s chances this Saturday.
Liam Delap is injured, so the Chelsea manager does not have too many other No.9 options.
However, with Palmer also struggling with an injury problem, there is a possibility that Pedro drops deeper and starts as the No.10 against his old side.
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