Joao Pedro, the hat-trick hero, continued his impressive form by scoring nine goals in nine matches, significantly aiding Chelsea’s quest for Champions League qualification.
His intelligent positioning at the back post allowed him to shake off Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa to level the score, and his deft finish just before the half-time break showcased his exceptional skills.
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For his third goal, he tapped in after Alejandro Garnacho took advantage of Villa’s high defensive line, while his audacious overhead kick in the 71st minute, although off target, emphasized his flair for the beautiful game.
The forward’s versatility allows him to net various types of goals—be it from close range or long distance, using both feet and his head, combining clinical precision with spectacular flair.
Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo, along with Brentford’s Igor Thiago, have surpassed his tally of 14 goals in the Premier League this season.
Additionally, Joao Pedro has provided seven assists, achieving these impressive numbers without having converted a single penalty.
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Since Diego Costa’s exploits in the 2016-17 title-winning season, Chelsea has not had a striker who can realistically score 20 goals in a season, with Tammy Abraham, who was a substitute for Villa on Wednesday, coming the closest during his tenure at Stamford Bridge.
Notably, it’s not just his scoring prowess that has caught the attention of Chelsea staff. Joao Pedro has also taken on a mentoring role for young Brazilians Estevao Willian and Andrey Santos, and is known for stepping up to face the media after tough defeats.
Chelsea feels confident in their decision to secure the right striker and views the £55 million investment from Brighton as a worthwhile expenditure, especially in the context of summer moves for Alexander Isak to Liverpool, Benjamin Sesko to Manchester United, and Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal.