Thiago Silva reveals one Chelsea attacker's elusive movement makes him a nightmare for defenders, constantly shifting and leaving them without a reference point.
As an expert in defense, Thiago Silva doesn't believe center-backs enjoy playing against Joao Pedro in a false-nine role.
"Man ... Joao Pedro," the current Porto center back said about the Chelsea forward in a documentary about the connections between Brazilian football and the Blues.
"It's always difficult to play against him, as he's a forward, a No. 9, but never in the No. 9 position.
"He always floats a lot, which for a defender is the most horrible thing that can happen, because you have no reference."
Joao Pedro has established himself as the cornerstone of Chelsea's attacking project since his high-profile transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2024, a deal valued at around 65 million pounds that generated immediate excitement at Stamford Bridge.
After a first adaptation campaign in which he showed flashes of his technical quality and an innate ability to combine in tight spaces, the Brazilian attacker reached his footballing maturity during the 2024/25 season, where he became the main scoring reference for the London club under the guidance of Enzo Maresca.
During that cycle, Pedro registered elite numbers by playing 44 official games, totaling 3,520 minutes and 22 goals and 12 assists, being fundamental in helping the team recover its competitive status in the Premier League and reach the final stages of the domestic cups.
His versatility allowed him to perform with equal proficiency as a false nine, an attacking midfielder, or on the left wing, a trait that earned him comparisons to club legends for his elegance on the ball and his lethal play in the small area.
At 24 years old, Pedro already has an overall total of 38 goals and 22 assists in 78 official appearances with the Chelsea shirt, numbers that position him as one of the most cost-effective and decisive signings of the club's modern era.
His story in London is marked by a constant evolution, going from being a promise of South American football to a complete footballer who has restored hope to a fan base that sees in him the heir to the great historical jersey numbers of the institution, maintaining a long-term contract that ensures his presence at the heart of the London attack until June 2031.
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