Analysis: Joao Pedro hits the ground running
- Published
Joao Pedro has made a great impact since cutting short his holiday on the beaches of his native Brazil to join Chelsea during the Club World Cup in July.
Three goals in three starts, including one in the final in New Jersey against Paris St-Germain in July, has been followed up with a great start in the Premier League.
He now has two goals and two assists in his first three league games.
In all competitions, that is five goals and a further two assists in his first five starts, becoming the first Chelsea player to score five goals or more in his first five starts since Tammy Abraham in 2019.
Joao Pedro cites similarities between manager Enzo Maresca's style of play to his former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi as a key reason behind his quick adaptation to life in west London. Of course, the forward also knows the Premier League and English football having moved to the league to join Watford in 2020.
He is already repaying the initial £55m paid to Brighton for his services over the summer.
However, there will be concern after Liam Delap suffered a hamstring injury which Maresca says he fears could rule him out for six to eight weeks after an early assessment.
He would join star attacker Cole Palmer on the sidelines and the Blues had to play academy talent Tyrique George up front for the majority of the match.