Pedro was Chelsea FC’s marquee signing in the summer. With the club enduring a rough season, how did the Spaniard fare in his first year in England?
Pedro Rodriguez was Chelsea FC’s marquee signing in the summer of 2015. After a brilliant season which saw The Blues lifting the league title, it was felt that not many players needed to be brought in.
Apparently Pedro was signed from right under the noses of one of Chelsea’s rivals, Manchester United, a habit the London club appear fond of recently.
Nowadays spending £20 million on an established winger from the best team in the world (Barcelona) is something of a coup. Although Pedro was more of a utility player at Barca, he looked set to be a key part of an attacking three behind Diego Costa.
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Scoring in his debut against West Brom certainly gave the fans hope he could replicate his success in the Premier League. An assist in his second game against Crystal Palace gave the indication he had settled at his new club.
The problem with Pedro is that, while at Barca, he was clearly not on the same level as the likes of Lionel Messi and was sold because the team had signed Neymar the season prior. At Chelsea there were times when he struggled to keep up with Eden Hazard and Willian when they found their form.
Overall, though, Pedro joined Chelsea the moment every other player seemed to lose form. This resulted in an underwhelming season for the Spaniard.
I have no doubt that had the Blues been playing to the same standard as the year before, Pedro could have scored over ten goals. Instead he scored seven goals in the league, adding two assists.
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There are times when in possession that Pedro resembles a headless chicken. Running horizontally across the pitch with the ball not quite under his control. In fact, this often works in his favour; if he doesn’t know what he’s doing with the ball then defenders stand no chance.
He also often tries to do too much. It reminds me of when Fernando Torres first joined the team and was trying so hard to create something out of nothing, it was painful at times. Like with Torres, I was sympathetic towards Pedro this season.
Chelsea’s number 17 is incredibly two footed, this makes him a great finisher of the ball from either side of the penalty area. His performance against Newcastle United is the perfect example of his ability – through on the keeper he took the shot ridiculously early outside the box on his left foot for his first goal, and a comfortable finish from inside the box with his right for his second.
Eight goals total, in 40 games played, should be seen as respectable considering the club’s horror season and this being his first in England.
Pedro is 28 years old, so he will have a few more years at the top of his game. While I expect Chelsea will have a better season next year (they can’t be worse than 10th, can they?), this should lift Pedro’s game too.
Next: Player evaluations 2015/16
It’ll be interesting to see what Antonio Conte has planned for Pedro. He can play anywhere across the front three and his work-rate is high. Could this see him be used as a wing-back while playing three defenders? I’m kidding, but stranger things have happened at this club.