Chelsea Football Club outbid Newcastle United in the competition to sign Joao Pedro, a brilliant 23-year-old Brazilian attacker, after reaching an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion worth more than £50 million. Pedro reportedly stated that he would have preferred to join Chelsea, especially when influential people at Stamford Bridge asked about the versatile attacker’s availability. As the squad completes a seven-year contract, Pedro’s long-term services will be guaranteed.
This deal marks yet another big departure from Brighton to Chelsea, following in the footsteps of players like Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, and Robert Sanchez who have all made similar moves in the past. Additionally, Levi Colwill, who spent part of the last season on loan with the Seagulls, adds to the narrative of players shifting between these two clubs.
Chelsea faces a deadline of July 3 to complete their squad for the upcoming Club World Cup, which will see them compete against Palmeiras in Philadelphia. They are rapidly expanding their roster since they need additional players. Manager Enzo Maresca, who values players who can vary between attacking roles, has taken notice of Pedro’s versatility, which allows him to perform well throughout the frontline. Pedro is expected to travel to the United States shortly to get used to his new teammates before the tournament.
In addition to Pedro’s upcoming arrival, Chelsea has strengthened their squad this transfer window by spending £30 million to sign Liam Delap. They are also in advanced negotiations to spend roughly £55 million to sign Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund in order to further demonstrate their dedication to bolstering their squad.
Pedro famously got into a brawl with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke on the training field, which kept him from playing in the final games, making his final season at Brighton tainted by scandal. However, since joining Brighton, he has scored 30 goals in 70 games, which is a good indication of his performance record. In 2023, the Seagulls had already spent about £30 million to buy him from Watford.
Chelsea’s competitive advantage heading into the new season is further highlighted by the fact that Brighton completed the previous Premier League season eight points behind Chelsea in terms of league standings. Chelsea wants to regain its place among the top teams in English football, and this move is viewed as both a tactical acquisition and a major declaration of purpose.
