Pedro is waiting to hear from Chelsea about a contract extension. He is handling that and transfer rumors with patience in all the right ways.
Pedro’s contract is running out at the end of the season and he understands that his Chelsea career may be coming to a close. Rather than holding out for some ridiculous offer from the Blues that will simply never happen, he is staying patient. Contract negotiations are a game and Pedro understands his place in the current one.
It also helps, from his perspective, that he has many suitors worldwide. He does not have to go out and bat his eyes towards them as they are already coming his way. Again, it is about understanding what he can offer and not pricing himself out.
By doing this balancing act, he is handling a potential future at Chelsea in the right way. He has not priced himself out of the Blues but he has also saved room for other clubs to come in and pick him up if Chelsea opts not to.
On the Chelsea side, Pedro knows that if he were to stay, it would be for at most another two seasons. But even that could be pushing it given his style of play. He can still benefit a great many clubs, but age will steal from him more than others. At Chelsea, he is already seeing his minutes drop so asking for anything more than a year may be too much for him and the club.
If he does opt to leave Chelsea, because he is not making high demands, plenty of other clubs will be interested and the rumor is that they already are. Real Betis is an option for a return back to Spain. Roma offers a new challenge abroad in a league that will suit Pedro’s slowing pace. Then there is the opportunity to become a star of Major League Soccer in his twilight years.
It is hard not to compare Pedro’s situation to Willian’s given both are running out of contract. Willian, however, wants three years at Chelsea. The Blues will not offer that, and clubs watching will also be weary of offering a deal that long for an aging player. Pedro, by simply waiting for Chelsea, has kept his options open both at the Blues and at other clubs. He is playing the game in a way that allows him to win.
It is unlikely Pedro will remain a Blue but he has at least left that door open. At the same time, he has left the door open for new challenges and clubs should the need arise. He is doing things in the right way both for himself and every club involved in the equation.
Pedro’s legacy at Chelsea will be up in the air for some time yet, but even at his exit he is trying to do the right thing for himself and the club. Players like that are rare and that alone may give Chelsea second thoughts about extending his contract.