Srećko Šijaković João Pedro has looked absolutely fantastic at Chelsea F.C. since the arrival of manager Liam Rosenior.
The Brazilian forward has been extremely efficient, fast, and dynamic. Rosenior’s style of football suits him perfectly, allowing his qualities as a top striker and world-class player to become fully visible.
From the very beginning of Rosenior’s tenure at Stamford Bridge in January, Rosenior structured Chelsea’s attacking play around the Brazilian international, who has been playing magnificent football and is currently, without doubt, the best striker in the Premier League.
His physical strength and pressing were the first elements Rosenior noticed in João Pedro, who has been given space and has used it brilliantly. It is also worth mentioning that he won two penalties against Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. that led to victory, showing clear chemistry with his manager.
It is how it all began.
João Pedro is outstanding in one-on-one situations. He is extremely dominant in the final third, and his shots are often extremely difficult for opposing goalkeepers to stop. Often, even fatal ones.
He is also very persistent in the fight for the ball and remarkably strong in duels. He is always in a duel with no fear and is fully committed to the Rosenior task.
João Pedro fits perfectly into the tactical demands of Liam Rosenior, and the manager has been so impressed with him that strong chemistry and confidence have quickly developed between them.
The bond was there from the beginning.
Rosnior tactics with Joao Pedro.
His runs are smart, and the balls that are going in his direction are never lost. Rosnior’s key element in open play is not risking losing the ball, with its way players are passing the ball towards Joao Pedro, who in duels with defenders.
No risk of losing the ball and connection with Joao Pedro makes him an excellent striker for the system.
A perfect striker for Rosnior.
In addition, his passing often makes the decisive difference, which has led many to start talking about a truly elite season from Chelsea’s striker — something the club had not seen since Diego Costa during the era of Antonio Conte.
The beginning.
In the EFL Cup first match against Arsenal F.C., Pedro had the task of constantly pressing the opposition’s defensive line, which he did excellently.
Chelsea took very little risk in attack, often sending direct balls toward João Pedro.
Rosenior avoided unnecessary combination play that might lead to mistakes, and instead, the team consistently supplied the Brazilian forward.
João Pedro was winning some duels and losing others, but he consistently pressed high, and every run he made had the potential to be dangerous for Arsenal.
He was playing with Gabriel constantly with great consistency, quality and determination.
This is how impressed Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior.
His constant pressure on opponents and relentless style of play — although far from easy — clearly impressed Rosenior, who has given him significant attacking freedom. João Pedro is excellent in duels and undoubtedly a world-class player who may still have an even higher level to reach.
It is so hard to run on that level constantly and to sustain a high level.
He is playing smartly and extremely well. That pressing high is done on opponents’ defensive line takes so much strength and a great level of playing intelligence.
He needs pace and needs to have a great level of pace, fitness, and stamina. His fitness is beyond possible, and his movements around the box are perfect.
His finishing abilities are characteristic of a pure striker who is more dominant than anyone. Hi runs are absolutely priceless.
This partnership will be an iconic one and already is producing so much on the pitch.
He failed to convert more than a few headers, and opponents were lucky.
He has scored in one-on-one situations, looked fantastic overall, and fully justified Rosenior’s tactical ideas. However, there were several moments when he failed to convert headers, meaning some opponents had a degree of luck against him. João Pedro is always capable of changing the course of a match.
Penalty takers at Chelsea. The hierarchy.
It should also be noted that João Pedro does not take penalties for Chelsea.
The primary taker is Cole Palmer, of course, especially under Rosenior, whenever he is available, while the second option is second captain Enzo Fernández.
The Brazilian forward could potentially be the third option, although he regularly took penalties at his former club Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Estevao Willian could be the fourth option if they are not available. He scored to Ajax in the Champions League from a penalty kick.
The first goal was the first one from open football.
João Pedro and Liam Delap.
At the moment, João Pedro is ten classes above Liam Delap, who is currently Chelsea’s second attacking option.
So what I am saying is Liam Rosenior has an absolutely perfect striker in Chelsea!
As Chelsea’s leading striker, João Pedro could also be extremely important for the Brazil national football team at the FIFA World Cup. Because he can play in multiple attacking roles and is currently in excellent form, he could become a key player for Carlo Ancelotti in Brazil’s national team.
Carlo Ancelotti and Brazil are on the move!
He is an excellent finisher and a truly world-class player who often shows outstanding form during the summer tournaments with Brazil. In that environment, he tends to play with greater freedom and confidence, which can allow him to reach an even higher level than he shows at the moment.
In the central striker role, he is clearly a stronger option than Richarlison.
He can play in all attacking positions and the attacking midfield position. Since his passes and understanding of the game are mind-blowing, he can play positions other than striker, since he is too deep to be considered only a striker.
Chelsea’s striker might help push Brazil deep into the tournament, and last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup could prove to have been just the beginning of something truly extraordinary.
Carlo Ancelotti has many options available in the Brazil national football team, but the player’s form could reach an exceptional level this summer, and Brazil could benefit from it enormously.
It could be a historical run from Brazil at the World Cup, which has an experienced manager who knows football very well.
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