How Pedro can turn Chelsea into Champions again

Spaniard Pedro signed for Chelsea adding unpredictability and variation to Jose Mourinho's side

With Jose Mourinho’s revelation of the one minute conversation that led to the arrival of Pedro to Stamford Bridge, the complexion of Chelsea’s attack has changed. While Pedro won’t immediately change Chelsea’s fortunes, his arrival gives them a much needed competition for the right wing berth. Being ambidextrous, he gives this already quality attack an extra edge.

Since the second half of last season, Chelsea’s attacking options seemed very limited. Eden Hazard and Diego Costa were the only ones to reach double digit figures in terms of goals scored. The supremely hard working Willian too has more often than not been disappointing in his finishing and getting into scoring positions. The Spaniard’s arrival adds more directness to their attack. Apart from that, Pedro’s quality of making intelligent runs across from the wings into the centre adds another dimension to their attack.

Mourinho's new signing Pedro can turn Chelsea into Champions again

It is this extra dimension which is missing from all their attacking midfielders bar Eden Hazard. All of them are more comfortable having the ball at their feet, making runs down the wings and crossing the ball. Except Andre Schurrle in recent history, one has to look back to the 2004-2006 period when Chelsea had Eidur Gudjohnsen and Arjen Robben as wingers who had the capabilities to drift central and score goals.

Given Andre Schurrle’s form was never the same in the 2014-15 season after the World Cup, but his intelligent movements off the ball always posed a threat to the opposition. His run in behind the defence from a wide position to finish off an exquisite pass from Cesc Fabregas against Burnley showed how well he could anticipate a pass.

Pedro brings exactly this variation which will be a huge bonus for players like Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas who rely on the movements of other players to play in that killer pass. Having played under Pep Guardiola, Pedro is very much used to pressing the opposition, which also suits very well into Mourinho’s style of play.

Pedro's goal scoring ability gives them the option to switch to a 4-3-3, as it was with Robbe, Gudjohnsen and Drogba

Pedro’s arrival also allows Chelsea to effectively change their formation from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3. Mourinho preferred using the 4-2-3-1 in most of the games but opted for a 4-3-3 for the tough away game with Ramires coming in the right midfield in place of Oscar. Ramires’ work rate is impeccable but his passing ability and creativity is suspect. With an effective right winger in the form of Pedro coming in, Willian can be shifted to right midfield alongside Cesc Fabregas with Matic anchoring the two. This formation will be similar to how Chelsea played under Mourinho a decade back with Claude Makalele anchoring Michael Essien and Frank Lampard, with Robben and Duff/Gudjohnsen on the wings. They also had a striker in Didier Drogba who could occupy both the opposition centre backs.

Willian has played as a midfielder before such as in the 1-0 win against Manchester City at the Etihad during the 2013-14 season. His work rate helped stifle Yaya Toure’s influence in the game. Willian has the necessary qualities to be an effective box to box midfielder. His positional change may have a similar impact on his play like it did on Angel Di Maria during his final season at Real Madrid. Just like Willian, Di Maria too was an out and out winger. To accommodate the world record signing, Gareth Bale, Carlo Ancelotti shifted Di Maria to left midfield. That resulted in Di Maria having his best season during his Real Madrid career with his performance in the Champions League final being the cherry on the cake.

All in all, the capture of the Spaniard gives a much needed rejuvenation to the Chelsea attack. Pedro’s directness, intelligence and pace would be crucial for Mourinho’s men if they want to retain their title.

Written by,

Shanko Bag