Chelsea have confirmed the signing of forward João Pedro from Brighton. The deal for the 23-year-old is reported to be worth up to £60 million, and he has signed an eight-year contract with the London club. His arrival marks another significant attacking investment for the Blues, who have been active in the transfer market to bolster their forward line.
However, this also represents a problem for the Blues. It seems that all of a sudden, they have too many players competing for the forward spot. They already have a heavy team, so adding a second striker this transfer window might require moving some additional pieces around.
João Pedro Could Just be the Player They Were Looking for
João Pedro’s time at Brighton saw him develop into a potent attacking force. In the 2023/24 Premier League season, he made 31 appearances, scoring nine goals. Last season he managed to improve on those stats despite suffering an early injury. He finished the season with 10 goals and six assists in just 27 Premier League matches.
His versatility allows him to play across the front line, but he has been most effective as a central striker. Even though he has also played as a number 10 as well as a winger under Fabian Hürzeler.
His work rate and ability to create chances for himself and others will be valuable assets for Chelsea as they look to compete on multiple fronts in the upcoming season. The Brazilian’s prospect at Stamford Bridge will be to provide a consistent goal threat, something the club has actively sought.
From No Strikers to Too Many Strikers
The addition of João Pedro means Chelsea now have a number of options in the centre-forward position. Not long ago, the club was looking for a reliable goalscorer, and now they find themselves with an abundance of them. The recently acquired Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson will be competing with the new signing for a starting berth. This level of competition could be beneficial, pushing each player to perform at their best.
Jackson scored 10 goals last season, a decrease from 14 the season prior. However, his consistency is the main problem as he tends to miss a lot of good opportunities in front of the goal. Delap, on the other hand, scored 12 for Ipswich last season, proving to be much more reliable. Especially in a team where the chances of scoring don’t come as easily as with stronger clubs.
Not to mention that Chelsea still have Christopher Nkunku on the books. Unfortunately for him, his scoring efforts are not as consistent as they were at Leipzig. Forcing Maresca to mainly employ him as a substitute for Cole Palmer in the number 10 role.
Loans and Moves on the Way
With a congested forward line, some departures from the club are imminent. Marc Guiu is likely to be sent out on loan to gain more first-team experience. The futures of Armando Broja and David Datro Fofana are also uncertain, with the possibility of permanent sales being explored for both players.
Broja could be on the move after a failed loan spell at Everton. Meanwhile, Fofana searched for playtime on loan spells to Union Berlin, Burnley, and Göztepe.
Furthermore, academy prospect Tyrique George, a player who many believe is ready for more senior football, may find his opportunities limited this season. Maresca has to determine whether he wants to keep him around or send him on loan for him to mature a bit more. The club will need to manage these situations carefully to ensure the development of its young talent is not hindered.
