With Pedro now officially a Chelsea FC player, let’s countdown his top 5 career moments
Thursday afternoon saw Chelsea FC officially announce that the biggest transfer heist for some time had been successful. Pedro was now a registered Blues player.
Having been reportedly on the brink of signing for Louis Van Gaal and Manchester United, Chelsea managed to get the ball into their half of the court in a whirlwind few hours on Wednesday morning.
United then dropped all interest in acquiring Pedro, and turned their attention to Southampton’s Sadio Mane instead.
This left the door open for Chelsea to finalise the deal, and after completing his medical on Thursday morning, Pedro was formally unveiled as a Blues player.
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The winger brings an already stellar career with him to Stamford Bridge (which you can read more about here) and will hopefully be able to employ Barça’s winning mentality in an effort to uncover Chelsea’s one, after it has seemingly gone into hiding over the last month.
His contributions to Barcelona’s successes have been underpinned by the warmth and well-wishes that have been directed his way since his departure was confirmed. Inevitably, when a player wins twenty trophies in his career, there are bound to be numerous great moments along the way.
With all that, let’s take this chance to welcome Chelsea’s new signing and recount five of the best moments in Pedro’s career so far.
Next: 5. First Hat-Trick
5. First Hat-Trick
On 21st September 2013, Pedro took a step towards cementing his reputation as a quality player when he scored the first competitive hat-trick in his career. As part of a 4-0 romp of Rayo Vallecano away from home, Pedro netted three of the goals that helped Barça maintain their 100% win record so far in that La Liga campaign.
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The first goal was a beautifully taken chance at the end of a move orchestrated by Lionel Messi (of course). The Argentine received the ball some 30 yards out, he then managed to evade two defenders before slipping in Pedro, who was making the supporting run down the right. The winger subsequently placed the ball sumptuously with his left foot into the opposing corner.
Pedro’s second saw the Catalans capitalise on slack Rayo defending. Cesc Fabregas applied some pressure which eventually led to him running the ball down the left flank. He spotted Pedro breaking into the box and squared the ball for his fellow Spaniard to finish off.
The goal that gave him the hat-trick was underpinned by classic Barcelona pass-and-move football. A neat exchange down the left afforded Neymar some space. The Brazilian then cut the ball across to an eager Pedro who calmly stuck it in the back of the net to claim the match ball.
Next: 4. Goals In Six Competitions
4. Goals in six competitions in one season
Out of all people, Pedro was the one who became the first player in history to score in six different club competitions in one season.
In the 2009/10 campaign, Pedro hit the net in all of the Copa Del Rey, Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and La Liga to accomplish a feat that no-one had ever done before.
16th December 2009 would mark the day of the achievement, as Barcelona defeated Atlante in the semi-final of the Club World Cup. The goal would essentially be all Andres Iniesta. Picking the ball up on the left wing, the little maestro would make his way in field, offering numerous stepovers to prevent Atlante defenders from taking the ball off him. Once inside the box, he would spot the run of Pedro and play a cutting inside pass into his feet. Pedro would take care of the formalities.
This feat has only been matched by one person since: Lionel Messi. This would be part of a breakout campaign that would see Pedro score 23 competitive goals in 52 appearances for the club.
Next: 3. Spanish Super Cup
3. 2015 UEFA Super Cup
Many people don’t count Super Cups as proper competitions, but it is rare that you score a goal in a final that actually wins your team the trophy.
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This happened just a couple of weeks ago in fact, when Barcelona took on Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup. With rumours swirling that Pedro was on the verge of joining Manchester United (LOL), the winger was left on the bench from the outset. An incredibly entertaining affair ensued, with Sevilla overcoming a 4-1 deficit with little over 30 minutes left to take the match into extra-time.
Pedro was subbed on and came up trumps in the 115th minute, latching onto the rebound as Beto failed to effectively parry a Messi strike. That would be Barcelona’s fifth, and the game’s ninth, goal that would hand the Catalans the win.
Fast forward a week or so and the player had agreed a switch to Chelsea.
This wasn’t the only cup winner that Pedro netted. Six years earlier in the 2009 UEFA Super Cup, Pedro again started as a sub, and again came on to score the winner in extra-time. What’s even more odd is that it was in the 115th minute as well. Weird, huh?
Next: 2. FIFA World Cup Final
2. 2010 FIFA World Cup Final
Arguably the pinnacle of any footballer’s career is the FIFA World Cup. Winning a World Cup outweighs any number of league titles and domestic triumphs. In fact, there are many people who refuse to hold Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the same echelon as Diego Maradona and Pele due their failures to capture a World Cup.
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Pedro, however, can boast something that his ex-teammate doesn’t have. The 2010 World Cup was the second of three consecutive major triumphs on behalf of the Spain squad, and Pedro was an integral part of it.
The winger featured in five out of a possible seven games in the tournament. More importantly, he beat off the likes of Juan Mata, Jesus Navas and David Silva to claim a starting spot for the final against Holland.
Although Pedro would not score, he would be part of the team that brought Spain its (arguably overdue) first World Cup victory. For those who don’t remember, it was an ugly and physical affair that saw the Dutch attempt to bully the Spaniards into submission.
However, not even a karate kick from Johnny Heitinga could prevent Spain from prevailing, as Andres Iniesta would score the only goal of the match in the 116th minute of extra-time.
Next: 1. UEFA Champions League Final
1. 2011 UEFA Champions League Final
I don’t think that there will be many complains about this.
The 2011 UEFA Champions League Final would see Barcelona take on Manchester United. It would be a repeat of the 2009 final, in which the Catalans ran out 2-0 winners in the Stadio Olimpico. This time, however, the final would take place in what could be described as United’s second home: Wembley Stadium.
Pedro was given the start out on the left of a front three alongside Lionel Messi and David Villa. Among all the superstars, it would be this 23-year-old who would open the scoring.
Xavi received the ball in the middle of the park and carried it towards goal. Pedro, meanwhile, peeled off Nemanja Vidic and thus created a space for the captain to slip the ball into. One touch for Chelsea’s newest signing was followed by a right-footed strike, with which he placed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
Pedro was written into Barcelona folklore as the Catalans would end up winning the clash 3-1.
These are some great moments from the Spaniard, but I’m certain all Blues fans will join me in wishing that this article in ten years time will be full of Chelsea FC-related triumphs.
Next: Chelsea FC: Look At How Many Trophies Pedro Has Won