Pedro’s resurgence has been one of Antonio Conte’s biggest successes in the opening stages of his Chelsea career – but why has the Spaniard suddenly taken to life in the Premier League?
The 29-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2015, for what the BBC reported to be a £21 million fee. He struggled to justify that figure in his debut season in Chelsea blue, as the then-champions stumbled to an embarrassing tenth place finish.
However, so far this campaign, Pedro has established himself as one of Conte’s most important assets. He has scored nine goals and provided five assists already this term, and we’re only midway through January.
The importance of some of those goals also cannot be understated, with four of his six Premier League goals coming against Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham and champions Leicester.
He has undoubtedly benefited from the vast improvement of his teammates performances, but Pedro also fits like a glove into Conte’s 3-4-3 system. Having Victor Moses running the touchline alongside him all game has created a lot more space for Pedro to operate in.
Pedro is not as astute in tight spaces as Hazard, nor is his ball retention as good as Willian’s – but he can be as incisive as both of them combined.
Whether it be running in behind the opposition’s back-line, picking a pass or going for goal himself, Pedro has been taking full advantage of the space he has been allowed so far this campaign.
The Chelsea faithful will undoubtedly be hoping his good form continues, as it could well fire them to the Premier League title.