Joao Pedro is being linked with a move away from Chelsea, just a year after joining the club from Brighton in a deal worth £60 million.
The Brazil star has been linked with Barcelona, and Shaun Wright-Phillips has supported the idea of the player leaving Stamford Bridge.
Champions League Failure Fuels Transfer Talk
Chelsea’s failure to qualify for the Champions League could trigger the departure of players this summer.
The Blues are likely to miss out on a place in Europe’s top competition after suffering six straight Premier League defeats.
There is a slight chance Chelsea could finish sixth, but they would need to overtake Brentford, Bournemouth and Brighton and rely on Aston Villa’s help.
Wright-Phillips Endorses Barcelona Move
Shaun Wright-Phillips believes Joao Pedro could seek an exit after only joining last year. Wright-Phillips has backed the Brazil star to leave Stamford Bridge as soon as possible, telling Somos Fanaticos it would be ‘fantastic’ for Joao Pedro to go to Barcelona.
“Personally, given the way Chelsea has been run, if I were him, I would do everything to complete this transfer,” Wright-Phillips stated.
Wright-Phillips added, “If I were Joao Pedro, I would want to play in the Champions League, and I can’t see Chelsea qualifying for any European competition. Joao has the level and deserves to be playing in the Champions League.”
Potential Camp Nou Career
Wright-Phillips believes that playing at Camp Nou, alongside Raphinha and Yamine Lamal, would be beneficial for him.
He stated Joao Pedro “would score many goals, since we have already seen what he did in a team that wasn’t as good as this Chelsea team.”
Chelsea are looking for another permanent manager after Liam Rosenior’s spell in charge, which lasted less than four months into a six-year deal.
The new manager may have to deal with players wanting to leave if Champions League qualification is not secured.