Chelsea FC have been extremely active in the transfer market ahead of what promises to be a busy 2025/26 season. The Blues will return to the UEFA Champions League and are also expected to be among the top contenders for the Premier League title.
Manager Enzo Maresca needs a deep squad to make a run in all competitions, so they’ve been bolstering all areas of the pitch with young, yet proven, talent.
One of the club’s latest signings, João Pedro, fits that mould perfectly. The Brazilian forward has completed a transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal reportedly worth £60 million ($81.6 million), which runs until 2033.
Where is João Pedro going to play at Chelsea?
As good as Pedro has been over the last two seasons in the Premier League with the Seagulls, registering 19 goals and nine assists over 58 outings, it’s fair to wonder: Does he really fit Maresca’s tactical approach? Where would he play at Chelsea, and would he be able to log consistent first-team minutes in a crowded attacking line?
⏯️ Now playing: Joao Pedro’s showreel pic.twitter.com/OuhuGZoy7k
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 2, 2025
The first thing to analyze here is the tactical fit. Pedro is better suited to play as a striker, but he’s also seen time as a left winger, an attacking midfielder (in the typical no.10 role) and even as a support striker.
However, it’s hard to see the Brazilian securing the main striker role, at least in the early stages of the season, as Chelsea have also signed Liam Delap, who scored 12 goals in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign with Ipswich Town, and they also have Nicolas Jackson, who bagged 10 goals in the league as well. So, there’s definitely depth upfront.
Joao Pedro becomes the latest player to play for both Brighton and Chelsea in the Premier League ✍️ pic.twitter.com/b45jFvlyzj
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 2, 2025
Still, Chelsea didn’t sign Pedro to be their third-choice striker. Maresca must – and should – see something different in the Brazilian. With Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke, and Cole Palmer as reliable options to play on the wings, coupled with Jamie Gittens’s impending arrival, featuring on a wide role isn’t a realistic option, either. But, what about putting Pedro as a support forward right behind the striker?
Meet the playmaker Chelsea didn’t know they needed
That’s where things get interesting. Pedro looked at his best when playing behind another forward at Brighton, whether it was Danny Welbeck, Georginio Rutter, or Evan Ferguson.
His on-the-ball creativity and vision work better when he has another reference upfront, and that also allows him to connect more effectively with the wingers. He had Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh at Brighton, and he’ll have a plethora of wide threats at Chelsea. However, there’s another wrinkle that could boost Pedro’s chances of settling well into that support striker role.
There have been stretches during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup where the team attempted to play with a natural playmaker behind the attacking line. Palmer can fill that role, but he’s far less threatening when he cuts inside from the wing and plays closer to the box.
New Chelsea man João Pedro gets in front of the cameras in Miami 🌴 pic.twitter.com/bJsIhQMVMj
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 2, 2025
Maresca tried to play Enzo Fernández there, but the Argentina international didn’t look comfortable operating so high up the pitch. He’s better suited to play as a second holding midfielder next to Moisés Caicedo. Thus, it’s unclear who could take that role – assuming Maresca will decide to stick to that approach when the season starts.
Meanwhile, Pedro could easily fill that hole between the midfield and the attack. He has the creativity to provide a spark out of nowhere in the final third, but he’s also tactically savvy enough to connect with the midfielders if the situation calls for it. Chelsea would also benefit from having an attacking midfielder with the mentality of a striker. That can’t be a bad thing for a team that relies heavily on attacking power to get past opponents.
A proven threat who delivers tactical flexibility
Chelsea have been heavily criticized for their approach to the transfer market in recent seasons. Owner Todd Boehly has been accused of not understanding how the transfer window works. Some experts believe he simply signs players for the sake of it, hopelessly waiting for the squad logjams to be solved on their own. However, it’s undeniable that he struck gold with the signing of João Pedro.
The Brazilian has proven himself at the Premier League level and seems to be ready to take the next step in his career. Additionally, he fits the age profile of most key squad members and brings valuable tactical versatility with his ability to operate in several roles in the final third. That’s something title-contending teams can never have too much of.
Whether Pedro ends up securing a starting role at Stamford Bridge remains to be seen, but one thing is certain. On paper, this could prove to be Chelsea’s best signing ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
