Chelsea are in search of a striker this summer after Nicolas Jackson has struggled to deal with the pressure of being their first-choice number 9. As a result, we have seen the Blues being linked with plenty of forwards over the past few weeks and months. Who will they ultimately end up signing though?
Liam Delap of Ipswich Town seems to be someone under consideration, although he is wanted by Manchester United as well. Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig is said to be of interest to the club, too. More high-profile names like Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres could be potential options as well, although such moves feel unlikely, considering the Blues' transfer policy since the change in ownership.
One name that has been loosely linked with Chelsea is that of Joao Pedro. He is currently playing for Brighton & Hove Albion, a club the Blues are no strangers to when it comes to doing transfer business.
It looks like Pedro would be open to the idea of joining Chelsea as well. As reported by Football Insider, Mick Brown said:
"Joao Pedro is one I know they’ve looked at, but there are doubts about his goalscoring record.
“There’s certainly a player there and at his best he can be excellent, but at his worst, he won’t be.
“Personally, I have doubts about whether he would be an improvement for a team like Chelsea and I know those doubts are shared.
“I hear he’s spoken to people around him about a move, and he would be interested in Chelsea.
“He wants to make a step up from Brighton as they’re going to miss out on European football again.
“It’s just a case of whether they decide he’s the right man for the job."
Brazilian striker tells friends he wants to join Chelsea
Pedro is a highly-rated striker. He has been a consistent starter for Brighton & Hove Albion and has made three appearances for the Brazil national team as well. Will he be an upgrade on Jackson though?
That is a question Chelsea need to ask themselves. Pedro managed to score 9 Premier League goals in 31 games last season. He has 10 in 27 this time around. Slightly better but not stellar numbers by any stretch of the imagination. Overall, he has 30 goals in 70 appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion.
Considering Brighton & Hove Albion paid a club-record £30 million fee to sign him, they would want more than that to part ways with the Brazilian international. And one cannot help but feel that there are better options around.