Chelsea seal Joao Pedro deal: Brazilian striker signs until 2032 and joins Club World Cup squad

According to The Athletic, Chelsea have reached an agreement with Brighton for the transfer of 23-year-old forward Joao Pedro in a deal worth over £50 million. Pedro will sign a long-term contract lasting until 2032. After flying to the US for medical checks, the Brazilian striker will be immediately named in Enzo Maresca’s Club World Cup squad.

Pedro to face Palmeiras: Expected to feature in the tournament

Due to FIFA’s player registration window between 27 June and 3 July, Pedro will be eligible to play for Chelsea during the tournament. He is expected to make his debut in the quarter-final against Palmeiras in Philadelphia. The match will kick off at 02:00 on Saturday, 6 July.

Pedro’s positional flexibility a major asset for Maresca

Last season, Joao Pedro featured in 27 Premier League matches, scoring 10 goals and providing 6 assists. He played as a centre-forward in 16 of those matches, but also featured as a left winger, second striker and attacking midfielder. This versatility makes him an attacking asset capable of fitting into multiple systems. His movement around the penalty area, timed off-the-ball runs and ability to link play make him not just a finisher but also a creative contributor during build-up play.

Sky Sports: Brighton were not planning to sell, but circumstances accelerated the move

Brighton had no intention of selling Joao Pedro during the summer. However, the player’s ambition to compete at the highest level in Europe and raise his profile ahead of the upcoming World Cup led the club to reassess their stance. According to Sky Sports, a training ground bust-up with Jan Paul van Hecke following Pedro’s red card in the match against Brentford was also a factor that accelerated the departure. As always, Brighton upheld their principle of allowing players to leave when their valuation is met.

Another transfer between Brighton and Chelsea

This move marks the fourth major transfer between Brighton and Chelsea in recent years. Marc Cucurella, Moisés Caicedo and Robert Sánchez previously joined the Blues, while Levi Colwill spent a season on loan at Brighton. This close relationship played a role in the swift completion of the Pedro deal.

Newcastle were in the race, but Pedro chose Chelsea

According to David Ornstein, Newcastle United were also interested in Pedro. However, from the outset, the 23-year-old forward only wanted to join Chelsea. His decision reflects the pull of Chelsea’s youthful project and high-performance culture.

Watford to receive sell-on profit

Pedro made the switch from Watford to Brighton for £35 million in the summer of 2023. As per a clause in that deal, 20% of the profit from Brighton’s sale of Pedro to Chelsea will go to Watford. This will provide a significant financial boost to the Championship side.

Gittens transfer nearly done but won’t feature in the tournament

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have also reached an agreement with Borussia Dortmund for young winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. The 20-year-old Englishman has passed his medical and is set to sign a seven-year contract running until 2032. The total cost of the transfer will be €65 million (approximately £55.5 million). However, since Gittens played in the group stage of the Club World Cup with Dortmund, he will be ineligible to feature for Chelsea during the tournament.

Potential semi-final opponent: Inter or Manchester City

If Chelsea progress past Palmeiras, they will face the winner of the Inter vs Manchester City tie in the semi-final – a rematch of the 2023 Champions League final. Preparing Pedro for such high-profile matches will be crucial for his quick integration into the team.

Pedro’s playing style blends versatility and tactical flexibility

Standing at 1.88m, Joao Pedro combines physical strength with technical skill to offer a unique forward profile. While naturally a centre-forward, he has frequently played as a left winger, second striker and number 10 throughout his time at Brighton and Watford. This versatility allows him to operate effectively in a variety of systems. Pedro’s ball control and passing in tight spaces are of a high standard. His dribbling allows him to glide past defenders, and he often positions himself between the lines to act as a passing outlet. He creates space for himself and his teammates with his movement around the box and can drag defenders out of position without the ball.

Despite his height, he is a remarkably agile player with excellent ball control. Although he occasionally shows lapses in concentration, he remains active and involved throughout the game. He’s also adept at dropping into midfield to receive the ball and link up play. His passing quality sets him apart from typical target men. Pedro can shield the ball well in tight spaces and uses his long legs to launch dangerous counter-attacks when space opens up. While not an instinctive poacher, he consistently manages to get into scoring positions. Since joining Brighton, he has significantly improved his ability to hold the ball with his back to goal. He tends to favour placed finishes, though his aerial game still needs work. His high football IQ allows him to set up important chances for teammates, using clever body feints to outmanoeuvre defenders. While he hasn’t yet proven completely reliable in one-on-one situations, he remains young and has the potential to develop his finishing under Maresca’s guidance.

What role could Pedro play at Chelsea?

Pedro’s role at Chelsea will depend on the club’s forward depth and Enzo Maresca’s tactical approach. In the short term, he has a strong chance of breaking into the starting eleven. His standout trait is his positional flexibility. With his link-up play, ball protection and passing range, he could evolve into a forward who both scores and creates. In Maresca’s possession-based, space-oriented attacking model, Pedro’s versatility could see him deployed effectively in both central and wide areas. A potential trio involving Enzo Fernández in midfield, Cole Palmer as the number 10 and Pedro Neto on the right could form a young but intelligent attacking structure. If the chemistry clicks, Chelsea fans could be in for a highly entertaining brand of football.