Pedro Rodriguez is perhaps one of the greatest footballers in the world that is constantly resigned to being on the bench week in week out. It has nothing to do with age or lack of commitment, it’s simply that he’s part of a team that has so much star studded talent that they don’t know how to use everyone at the same time.
He has been with Barcelona since he was 17 and worked his way through the youth and reserves before making it to the first team where he has stayed for seven seasons, but with a move to Chelsea all but finalised, Pedro could be receiving the first team football he’s been craving for years. It’s time for a new country, a new league, a new team and a new challenge. Here is what the coveted Spaniard can bring to Chelsea
Adaptability
One of the best things about Pedro is that he isn’t just resigned to playing one position. He’s good with both feet allowing him to play just as good on either the right or left wing which is where he is at his best. But he can also play that no.10 role just behind the centre-forward or if it comes to it he can even play as an out and out striker. Pedro is just so good with the ball that it doesn’t matter where he plays, he’ll be dangerous. In 321 games for the Catalans, he scored 99 goals, that’s an average goal every 3.2 games, not bad for a winger who was rarely given full matches to warm up.
Speed & creativity
Since Joining Chelsea in January, Juan Cuadrado has been a huge disappointment and has earned very little game time as a result. Mourinho had tried to sign Pedro in January instead but he was cup tied in the Champions league, but it seems he has got his man now. For anyone who has seen Pedro in action you’ll know that he plays best on the wings, it allows him to run at the defence as he weaves and cuts inside. Pedro is great at getting into those spaces that others wouldn’t usually see. However he’s just as creative setting up others, Pedro excels at holding the ball up allowing others to get into positions where he can send in a devastatingly good pass or lay off a sneaky through ball. If Mourinho is looking more service to his strikers then Pedro is the man for the job.
Experience
This is something Pedro has an abundance of. The man has won it all. Five La Liga’s, three Copa del Rays, three Champions Leagues, a World Cup, a European Championship and plenty, plenty more. Winning all these doesn’t just give you a large trophy cabinet, it grants you professionalism, discipline and understanding of the game. This may be one of the reasons that Pedro rarely ever gets booked and can keep a level head even in the most dire of times. He will bring this calmness and winning attitude with him to London and I’m sure it will rub off onto the other players.
Desire to play first team football
This is without a doubt the biggest reason Pedro has decided he wants to join Chelsea. It’s hard to believe that someone as good as Pedro can’t get regular first team football but such is the way of life at Barcelona. Over the last year the powerful trident of Neymar, Suarez and Messi scored 122 goals in all competitions between them and Pedro just can’t compete against that kind of attacking chemistry. When people found out that Pedro could possibly be up for grabs, team after team inquired over his services, especially rivals Manchester United. Even Manchester City were interested and offered him a lot more money if he snubbed everyone else and chose them. That’s the great thing about this lad though, he isn’t in this for the money, Pedro just loves the game and wants to play regular quality football.
He knows he is exactly what Chelsea need right now and will get all the first team football he desires as long as he puts in the work and effort that people have come to know of him from his performances with the Spanish champions. At the moment he will be fighting against Willian for that winger spot and I think it’ll be safe to say he’ll be first choice each time.
Conclusion
Pedro will offer everything Chelsea have been lacking so far in the opening two premier league games. That pace and drive going forward, the ability to dance around defenders, to send in the pass that others might see and to score a bit of magic when it is truly needed. Pedro will be a great compliment to Eden Hazard on the opposite side and these two can cause some real damage, especially if Diego Costa can find that form we’re accustomed to seeing and keep that hamstring fit.
