“Hopefully” – Di Matteo names Chelsea star he hopes will “raise the level” of the team | OneFootball

Former Chelsea player and manager Roberto Di Matteo is “very pleased” with Chelsea’s transfer business this summer, especially the signings of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.

The Blues had a busy summer in which they made six first team signings, with five of those attackers as the front line underwent a major revamp.

Chelsea sold Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix, whilst Pedro, Delap, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Buonanotte all arrived.

Di Matteo impressed with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap signings

Pedro in particular has hit the ground running, and followed up three goals in three games at the Club World Cup, with two in the opening three Premier League games.

Joe Cole has claimed Chelsea don’t realise how good Pedro is, and the Brazilian is arguably Chelsea’s best buy of the summer.

Delap impressed for Ipswich last season with 12 league goals, and made a £30m switch to Chelsea, scoring his first goal at the Club World Cup.

Pedro has made an impressive start to life at Chelsea. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The 22-year-old has started two of Chelsea’s opening three Premier League games but has yet to score, and he’ll have to wait a while longer.

Delap is set to be out until November with a hamstring injury, but Di Matteo believes both he and Pedro are really good signings.

“They bought important players, especially if you look at the centre forwards – Delap and Joao Pedro, two very good strikers,” he said as quoted by Football London.

“I liked Jackson, I always said that in the past, I like Nicolas.

“Joao Pedro is a natural goal scorer – he can get you a goal out of nothing and he doesn’t need many chances.

“Hopefully he will be the player that was maybe missing a little bit to raise the level for the team.”

Marc Guiu needs to step up

Chelsea didn’t sign another striker after Delap’s injury, despite making enquiries for 20-year-old Danish striker Conrad Harder.

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The Blues couldn’t convince Jackson to return, so ended up recalling Marc Guiu from Sunderland, with the pressure now on the youngster.

Enzo Maresca used Guiu sparingly last season, partly due to injury, but he will likely have to call on him more often this time.