Joao Pedro’s hat-trick for Chelsea against Aston Villa has raised hopes that the club may have finally found a striker to emulate Diego Costa’s impact from the 2016–17 season.
Joao Pedro Shines in Villa Victory
The 24-year-old’s hat‑trick against Aston Villa came in a match Chelsea had gone into with head coach Liam Rosenior speaking of time “running out” for their hopes in the race for Champions League qualification. Joao Pedro’s performance included an equaliser after Chelsea had fallen behind to an early Douglas Luiz strike.
Joao Pedro put Chelsea in front just before half‑time, dinking a finish over Emiliano Martinez. He then sealed the victory, tapping in an Alejandro Garnacho cross after Cole Palmer had powered in Chelsea’s third. When Joao Pedro came off in the 85th minute, he received a standing ovation from the supporters and a pat on the back from Rosenior.
Rosenior said that Joao Pedro is a top player and is growing in confidence. He added that he was delighted with Joao Pedro’s two tap-ins and that they have worked hard with him on that.
Comparing Him to Costa
Chelsea appear to have found a striker in Joao Pedro capable of leading the line in the way Diego Costa did during the 2016–17 title‑winning season. Not since Costa have Chelsea had a striker capable of reaching 20 goals in a season. The Brazilian now needs just three more to reach that mark with at least 12 games remaining, including the upcoming FA Cup tie at Wrexham and two‑legged Champions League tie against Paris St‑Germain.
It was an exceptional, all‑action display from a forward now on 17 goals in all competitions, with 14 of them non‑penalty strikes in the Premier League alongside seven league assists. Only Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has more non‑penalty goals in the league this season.
Rosenior’s Praise for ‘World Class’ Goal
Rosenior praised Joao Pedro’s goal with his left foot as ‘world class’. Rosenior was keen to praise the entire team. However, it was Joao Pedro who was mentioned most.
Chelsea’s Summer Spending
Chelsea completed the £55m signing of Joao Pedro from Brighton in July. This came after Arsenal secured Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting, Manchester United signed Benjamin Sesko and Liverpool then prised Alexander Isak from Newcastle for a British‑record £150m. Having been spotted on a beach in Brazil while on holiday, Joao Pedro made an immediate impact at the Club World Cup, scoring three goals in three starts – including a lob similar to his second strike at Villa Park in the final win over Paris St‑Germain in New Jersey. Joao Pedro opted for the number 20 shirt having arrived after Liam Delap’s move from Ipswich, with the English striker taking the number nine jersey.
His goals have helped lift Chelsea to fifth and cut the gap on Villa to just three points as they push to meet their minimum pre‑season target of qualifying for the Champions League again.