Former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has encouraged Joao Pedro to leave Chelsea in favour of a transfer to Barcelona.
The 24-year-old has had an excellent first season at Stamford Bridge following his £60 million move from Brighton and Hove Albion last summer.
The Brazilian has scored 23 goals, including three in the Champions League, and provided nine assists in 51 matches.
The Blues have had a poor campaign by their standards but Pedro has been a rare positive. His impressive form has come at a price, though.
Shaun Wright-Phillips urges Joao Pedro to leave Chelsea
Pedro's numbers this term have seen him emerge as a target for Barcelona. The Catalan giants are expected to go big on a new striker this summer in an attempt to replace the aging Robert Lewandowski.
Although Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez is their top priority, Pedro is also high on their shortlist, and Wright-Phillips, who spoke Somos Fanaticos (as quoted by Sports Mole), believes Chelsea's number 20 should do everything in his power to make the switch.
"I believe it would be fantastic for Joao if he were to go. Personally, given the way Chelsea has been run, if I were him, I would do everything to complete this transfer.
Playing at Camp Nou, alongside Raphinha and [Lamine] Yamal, would be great for him. He would score many goals, since we have already seen what he did in a team that wasn't as good as this Chelsea team."
Pedro has seven years left on his contract but Chelsea's likely failure to qualify for the Champions League will be hugely disappointing.
Deserves to be playing in the Champions League
Pedro's three Champions League goals this season included a brace against Napoli and one against Atalanta.
Clearly capable of doing it on Europe's biggest stage, Wright-Phillips, who played 125 times for the Blues, feels it will be a huge shame to see the Brazilian miss out next time around.
"If I were Joao Pedro, I would want to play in the Champions League, and I cannot see Chelsea qualifying for any European competition.
Joao has the level and deserves to be playing in the Champions League."
Despite the links, Chelsea understandably view Pedro as their most important player and have no intention of letting him leave.
So irrespective of what Wright-Phillips has to say, after Pedro committed to such a lengthy deal, Chelsea know they hold all the cards.
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