Joao Pedro Transforms Chelsea in Just Eleven Days

Chelsea midfielder, Cole Palmer, was very angry with his teammate, Nicolas Jackson, at the end of the semifinal match of the 2025 Club World Cup. He even kicked the goalpost despite Chelsea leading 2-0 with ten minutes remaining. This was all because Jackson insisted on shooting from a tight angle.

Jackson ignored Palmer, who was free right in front of the opponent's goal. Instead of increasing the lead, the striker could only send the ball out of play. That moment illustrated the chemistry between Chelsea's two key attacking players over the past two seasons. They were out of sync.

A few days later, Chelsea's new striker, Joao Pedro, showcased something different in the final match against Paris Saint-Germain. Just seven minutes into the game, Pedro created a golden opportunity for Palmer. He demonstrated speed, quick thinking, and a selfless attitude all at once.

Pedro could have turned around and shot the ball with his left foot. He was in the penalty area, facing defender Lucas Beraldo, who had already lost the sprint. However, Pedro instead passed the ball backward, without looking. Palmer was standing unmarked. Unfortunately, Palmer's shot went slightly wide.

From that moment, Pedro did not appear to be a player who had just been at Chelsea for eleven days. The former Brighton and Hove Albion player seemed as if he had played alongside Palmer hundreds of times, almost as if they had a telepathic connection with one another. He also seemed to bring something new that the other forwards in the "Blue" squad did not possess.

"He is an extraordinary player. I watched him at Brighton, but I have known him since he was at Watford. He was talked about by many people back then. I did not realize how great he was until I trained directly and shared the field with him. He is very, very impressive," said Chelsea defender Levi Colwill to Hayters TV.

Palmer, with his contribution of two goals and an assist, successfully stole the spotlight in the final match. Behind that brilliant performance, there was a significant role played by Pedro. The build-up to Chelsea's second and third goals showcased the top-tier positioning quality of the 23-year-old forward. He was able to harm the opponent without even touching the ball.

Chelsea's second goal originated from a counter-attack transition situation. Three Chelsea attackers faced off against three PSG defenders. Pedro was not among those three players; he was left behind in the midfield. Remarkably, Pedro immediately sprinted as fast as he could to turn the situation into a four versus three.

The ball was at Palmer's feet as he faced off one-on-one against PSG midfielder, Vitinha. Many attackers would typically run towards the far post to create space for the ball holder. However, Pedro took a different route by running to the outside, specifically the left side of PSG's defense.

We know him (Joao Pedro) very well. That's why he's here. We like him and are confident he'll help.

PSG's backline was confused by the movement. Vitinha was already marked by Palmer. Beraldo, who was initially positioned in the center to assist Vitinha, was forced to shift his attention to the flanks. As a result, Palmer easily bypassed Vitinha and shot the ball unobstructed. Beraldo was deceived by Pedro's movement.

In Chelsea's third goal, Pedro not only scored but also made a clever movement into the space between Beraldo and wing-back Nuno Mendes. Pedro looked again, noticing that the opposing defender was already marked by a Chelsea player. He was able to stand free in the penalty area when receiving a through pass from Palmer.

The intelligence of off-the-ball movement and positioning has been evident since his time at Brighton. Pedro is accustomed to playing in two positions simultaneously, as an attacking midfielder and a central striker. He often has to be the player behind the striker who emerges from the second line.

Pedro is a complete forward that has long been sought after by Coach Enzo Maresca. With him, Chelsea's transition plan is running very effectively. The player, who stands 188 centimeters tall, is not only capable of receiving long passes but also of holding the ball until other players join the attack.

Pedro understands very well when to slow down or speed up the game. Other Chelsea forwards, Jackson and Liam Delap, are more inclined to attack as quickly as possible during transition situations.

"We know him very well. That's why he's here. We like him and are confident he'll be helpful," Maresca said.

Together with Pedro, "The Blue" finally has a sharp striker. Pedro does not need many opportunities to score goals. He only recorded six shots during the World Cup but was able to produce three goals. His finishing was truly impressive, as exemplified when he chipped the ball in front of PSG's goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Chelsea, under Maresca's era, is filled with many young stars. One of the biggest problems with such a team is the high egos that clash with one another. Pedro is also young, but he appears mature. He can manage his ego because he understands his position in the club. This maturity is evident in the interview following Chelsea's victory as world champions.

Pedro realized that Palmer is the best player in the "Blue" squad. Therefore, he must facilitate his teammate as best as possible. "We attacked the left side (of PSG) because Cole was there. He dictated the game according to his wishes. I just supported the performance on that left side, and in the end, we won," he said.

The transfer fee of 60 million pounds, or approximately Rp 1.32 trillion, from Chelsea to Brighton, feels inexpensive so far. Pedro has already demonstrated the quality to elevate Chelsea to the next level. If there are those who are not pleased with his presence, it may only be Jackson and rival teams of "The Blues." (AP/AFP)