Joao Pedro joins Chelsea in time for Club World Cup last eight – why so many forwards?

In the last 18 months, Joao Pedro has become Chelsea’s 18th forward under their current owners.

He joins Brighton in a deal worth £60 million, bringing their total annual spending on attackers to £560 million.

And Chelsea’s Club World Cup quarter-final with Palmeiras on Saturday in Philadelphia could have the 23-year-old in the lineup.

Joao Pedro has an eight-year long contract, which is typically acceptable for a Blues signing, but the club can no longer divide the cost of his move over the duration of the deal after the Premier League closes that loophole.

After leaving Watford for just under £30 million in 2023, which was a club record fee, the Fluminense youth product scored 30 goals in 70 games for Brighton.

Everyone is aware that this is a significant club with a long history, he said. You know when you play for Chelsea, you must think about winning, so I’m excited to join them. They used to have great players and still do today.

It was a “good move for all parties,” according to Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler.

“It’s a great deal for the club, and it’s a good return on a significant investment in a field where our attacking talent is already well-served,” he continued.

Joao will enjoy the opportunity to play Champions League football this year, and he will of course be eager to strengthen his position in Brazil ahead of the World Cup this summer.

Once Chelsea’s move for Gittens is approved, they will have added Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, and Gittens to a strong attack that includes Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku, Marc Guiu, and Tyrique George.

After winning the Club World Cup, Estevao Willian will also join the organization as he prepares to face Chelsea and Palmeiras on Sunday.

Chelsea may seem to be closing deals just for the sake of it, but there is a specific plan.

With Nkunku expected to leave, Joao Pedro’s signing is anticipated to increase competition for the positions nine and ten.

After failing to make a permanent impression while on loan at Manchester United, Gittens will take over as the left-winger. Additionally, Mykhailo Mudryk is still being temporarily suspended as a result of a failed drug test.

Delap joins Jackson at the number nine position because Chelsea last year struggled up front.

Although Chelsea won’t force any of the players out of their Club World Cup squad, they may make significant moves for Jackson or Madueke, who are not untouchable like Palmer is at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea currently has eight attackers playing four forward positions, but Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos, who frequently play as number 10s, are not to be forgotten.

Guiu and George, both 19, are still a young couple. They played a significant role in Chelsea’s Conference League campaign last year, but now that they are back in the Champions League, the squad needs to be stronger.

With the signing of Joao Pedro, Chelsea can now spend up to £1.32 billion on initial transfer fees under their current ownership, including this one.

When Joao Felix’s loan fee and potential additions are factored in, the club’s expected arrival would mean the club’s investment would be more than £1.5 billion in three years. Their net spend is £1.07 billion even after sales are taken into account.

In the first three transfer windows under the current owners, Chelsea spent the most money in the Premier League in terms of gross and net spend.

The club has been quiet for the past two winters, but they spent the most money again last summer, even though their net spend was only the seventh highest, and is on course to become the Premier League’s biggest spenders once more in the new year.

18 attacking players have been the target of more than £560 million, or 43%, of Chelsea’s guaranteed fee spending. Thirteen of those have so far had mixed results for the Blues.

Chelsea’s plan is to find new stars and sell on untapped talent for a profit by purchasing younger players for lower wages and spreading the costs over long-term contracts.

However, the Premier League’s decision to sell their women’s team to parent company BlueCo for £198.7m, a move that ultimately resulted in a profit for the organization, may determine how well they can further advance their ranks.

In addition to the Premier League spending regulations, Chelsea’s finances are being improved by participating in the Champions League and the Club World Cup run next year.

Former West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Wolves coach Edu Rubio:

Some might wonder, “Why this signing?” Joao Pedro, however, is exactly what Chelsea needed, in my opinion. He also qualifies as a young player with potential, of course, to generate more revenue in a future sale. However, he has been proven and tested, and he is not a gambler.

To assist the team in its attacks, he can come short, hold the ball, and link up play. In the final third, he can give Liam Delap more pockets and options for forward runs, which will stretch the opposition and give Chelsea more options and pockets.

Joao surpasses Nicolas Jackson in that final build-up in terms of presence. His ideal position is striker, but he also has the ability to play false nine, giving Enzo Maresca more options.

In his second year at the helm, Maresca hopes to build on the style and DNA that his off-the-ball and physicality will also support. Joao’s stats are impressive in terms of penalty kicks, assists, and open-play goals. He undoubtedly gives Chelsea a new, more competitive feel.