After a lengthy nine-year search, Chelsea seems to have discovered a striker in Joao Pedro who can perform at the level Diego Costa showcased during the title-winning 2016–17 season.
The 24-year-old forward’s hat-trick against Aston Villa may primarily serve as a boost for Chelsea’s Champions League aspirations, but it came during a match where head coach Liam Rosenior expressed concerns about their dwindling chances.
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Joao Pedro’s remarkable all-around performance saw him net his 17th goal across all competitions, including 14 non-penalty strikes in the Premier League and seven assists. Only Erling Haaland of Manchester City has scored more non-penalty goals in the league this season.
Since Costa’s departure, Chelsea has struggled to find a striker capable of reaching 20 goals in a season. Joao Pedro now needs just three more goals to hit that mark with at least 12 matches left, including an FA Cup tie against Wrexham and a two-legged Champions League clash with Paris St-Germain.
His first goal came when he skillfully eluded Ezri Konsa at the far post to equalize after Chelsea conceded to Douglas Luiz’s early goal. He then put Chelsea ahead just before half-time with a delicate finish over Emiliano Martinez and secured the win by tapping in a cross from Alejandro Garnacho shortly after Cole Palmer scored Chelsea’s third goal.
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The crowd erupted into a standing ovation when Joao Pedro was substituted in the 85th minute, and Rosenior gladly acknowledged his contributions post-match, stating: “He is an exceptional player who is gaining confidence. His left-footed goal was world-class, and I was particularly pleased with his two tap-ins. He displayed great positioning, and we’ve been working hard with him on that. Achieving a hat-trick is a reflection of an outstanding team effort.”
While Rosenior emphasized the collective performance, it was Joao Pedro who stood out, as his goals have propelled Chelsea to fifth place, narrowing the gap to Villa to just three points as they strive to secure Champions League qualification.
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Chelsea Finds Their Answer to Sesko, Gyokeres, and Isak
Chelsea watched with anticipation as Arsenal acquired Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting, Manchester United secured Benjamin Sesko, and Liverpool signed Alexander Isak for a record £150 million, before making their own £55 million capture of Joao Pedro from Brighton in July.
After being spotted on a beach in Brazil during a holiday, Joao Pedro quickly made his mark in the Club World Cup, netting three goals in three starts, including a lob reminiscent of his second strike at Villa Park during the final win against Paris St-Germain in New Jersey.
Fortunately, Joao Pedro opted for the number 20 shirt upon his arrival, after Liam Delap’s transfer from Ipswich allowed Delap to take the number nine, a shirt that has burdened many before him, including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Radamel Falcao, Fernando Torres, Romelu Lukaku, Alvaro Morata, and Gonzalo Higuain during their less-than-stellar spells in London.
Instead, Joao Pedro has exceeded early expectations, scoring twice and providing three assists in his first four Premier League appearances. Although he faced fitness setbacks in the autumn under former coach Enzo Maresca, he has thrived under Rosenior, netting 10 goals in nine Premier League matches, along with two more in the Champions League, ensuring Chelsea avoided the playoffs.
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His hat-trick at Villa marks his most significant achievement with Chelsea so far. “It was a special night for me,” Joao Pedro shared with TNT Sport. “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity. My hat-trick came at the perfect time following our loss to Arsenal, demonstrating our determination to bounce back. I work hard to be prepared for these moments, and with the great players around me, I strive to be in the right position, and today I was fortunate enough to score three goals. It felt special, which is why I did a little samba dance.”
Chelsea has also noted Joao Pedro’s positive impact off the pitch. He serves as a mentor to young Brazilian talents Estevao Willian and Andrey Santos, having moved to England seven years ago to join Watford as a teenager. He has stepped up for media responsibilities after tough losses and has helped foster unity in the dressing room, connecting with teammates from English, Spanish, and French backgrounds.
For the first time in years, Chelsea seems content with their main striker as Joao Pedro eases the pressure while they aim for a spot in Europe’s top-tier competition next season.