After netting a goal and providing two assists in the London derby, Joao Pedro was rightfully recognized as the Player of the Match by Chelsea fans on the Official App. However, his performance encompassed much more than just those standout statistics.
Joao Pedro has primarily made his mark at Chelsea since arriving on July 2 in a No. 9 role, sharing striker duties with Liam Delap. However, the Brazilian has demonstrated his versatility since his debut in 2020 with Watford, excelling in various positions beyond just a central striker.
While at Vicarage Road and Brighton’s Community Stadium, he showcased his capability not just as a primary forward but also effectively playing deeper or from the left wing.
In the match against West Ham at London Stadium, Joao Pedro was positioned behind Delap in the No.10 role, a position held by Cole Palmer since his arrival two years ago. Initially, with Pedro named in the starting lineup alongside Palmer and Delap, fans expected him to operate on the left side, with Pedro Neto on the right. Palmer’s last-minute withdrawal led to the introduction of Estevao Willian, which left fans curious about Joao Pedro’s central role behind Delap.
*Interestingly, the positional visualization displays Chelsea in purple and West Ham in black, so Joao Pedro is represented as the purple No.20.
However, in his post-match remarks, Maresca indicated that the initial plan was always to utilize Joao Pedro centrally against West Ham, with Neto on the left and Palmer — and later Estevao — coming inside off the right flank, while Malo Gusto provided width along the touchline.
Despite his impressive goal and assist tally, Joao Pedro’s overall metrics were not exceedingly high; however, they underscored his contributions across various aspects of the game. As his touchmap illustrates, he was actively involved across the field, even engaging in defensive efforts.
Goalscorer
Including two pre-season matches against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan, Joao Pedro has remarkably scored six goals in seven appearances since joining Chelsea. He made history by being the first Chelsea player to score in his first Premier League London derby since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in October 2022, skillfully heading in Marc Cucurella‘s flick-on from close range for the equalizer.
Creator
Beyond being a scorer, Joao Pedro also showcased his playmaking skills in East London. With the match tied at 1-1, he skillfully controlled Gusto’s pass at the edge of the penalty area and delivered a lofted cross for Pedro Neto to volley into the net, demonstrating both close control and vision.
Impact at Both Ends
Joao Pedro’s influence extended beyond the attack. His aerial prowess, displayed during his goal and second assist for Trevoh Chalobah, also translated into several key defensive clearances, most notably during first-half injury time. The visual data highlights his defensive contributions, including two clearances and a block within his penalty area.
While he recorded the fewest touches (39) among those who played the full match, this did not hinder his ability to link play effectively. Joao Pedro’s 26 passes were largely accurate, with only four misplaced, indicative of his role in tight spaces typical of the No.10 position in Maresca’s system. Importantly, three of his touches directly contributed to goals, which is why 45% of fans voted for him as Player of the Match against West Ham. His performance illustrated that there was much more to appreciate about the 23-year-old on his big night in East London.
