Exclusive: Chelsea Could Have Their Next Didier Drogba in £55m Forward | OneFootball

Former Premier League Striker Makes Bold Claim about £55m Chelsea Star

Fewer clubs in the Premier League had a more impressive summer transfer window than Chelsea. The Blues brought in an array of young, top-quality players such as Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, Alejandro Garnacho, Jorrel Hato and Estevao.

It’s the first of those names that has undoubtedly caught the eye in Chelsea’s opening games of the season – Joao Pedro.

The Brazilian joined from Brighton in a £55m move this summer after scoring ten goals and assisting a further six in 27 Premier League appearances for the Seagulls last season.

Pedro has already scored two and assisted two in his three appearances so far this season and has already established himself as a key player in Enzo Maresca’s setup.

Despite a frustrating debut in Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on the opening day, Pedro grabbed one goal and two assists in the Blues’ 5-1 thrashing of West Ham United.

He then followed that up with another goal in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

Former Premier League striker Emile Heskey spoke exclusively to EPL Index and highlighted the Brazilian as a standout performer in the opening weeks of the season.

Photo IMAGO

Heskey’s Bold Joao Pedro Claim

Heskey believes this is just the start of a very bright career for the Brazilian forward, saying: “I like the signing of Joao Pedro at Chelsea, I think he can now follow in the steps of Didier Drogba and Diego Costa to lead the line for Chelsea so well.”

It’s a fascinating observation. Drogba managed to score 184 goals in 381 appearances for the Blues, whilst Diego Costa scored 59 goals in 120 appearances.

But since those days, Chelsea have struggled to find a suitable number nine since the departure of Costa almost a decade ago.

Big names like Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata have all failed to impress, whilst other prospects like Tammy Abraham, Nicolas Jackson and Romelu Lukaku all showed glimpses of promise before dropping off.

But now, alongside fellow summer arrival Liam Delap, Pedro will look to seriously shift that narrative and with the help of Cole Palmer, you’d fancy him to leave an impression.

Pedro remains fit and ready for Chelsea’s first game back after the international break, where they face an away trip to Brentford in an 8pm kick-off on Saturday. That’s followed by another Saturday evening clash but this time against Manchester United at Old Trafford.