Chelsea

PICTURE: Chelsea’s Best XI with the latest genius to be linked

By soccersweep

Posted on Jul 16, 2015

Quality

We have to admit initial surprise when we discovered that Chelsea were being linked with a move for Barcelona forward Pedro.

Let’s not mistake the quality of the lad. Even though he hasn’t always been a first choice at Barcelona he is touching world class status and has been a vital squad member for the best club side of all time.

But there is no shame in playing second fiddle to Neymar, Messi and Suarez. And Pedro has still managed 318 appearances and scored 98 goals for the Catalan outfit.

So while the quality is not an issue we just wonder where a player like this would fit into Jose’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

Pedro is a winger by name but not the sort of winger that Chelsea usually go for under Mourinho.

Because he doesn’t have blinding pace or an inordinately big engine. And, after a career in Spain, he won’t be used to the tracking back and defending, as the Chelsea boss demands of his wide men.

So perhaps, if Chelsea do sign him, we should expect to see him more through the middle next season. Oscar has underwhelmed at The Bridge and he may even leave the club this summer. If Cesc Fabregas sat alongside Nemanja Matic in front of the defence – as he often did last season – Pedro could pull the strings in the hole behind Diego Costa or Radamel Falcao.

So here is how we think that Chelsea will line up if Pedro joins. Blues fans: can you see him playing out wide under Jose?