Shoot more, think less – how Liam Rosenior perfected Joao Pedro the striker for Chelsea, as stats show new focus ahead of Paris Saint-Germain clash
By Marko Tankosic
SME News Balkan. Joao Pedro announced himself to Chelsea fans in spectacular fashion by scoring in the FIFA Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain. Yet after that early highlight, the Brazilian striker struggled to maintain consistency during the first half of the season.
Everything changed when Liam Rosenior replaced Enzo Maresca as Chelsea’s head coach.
Since the managerial switch, Pedro has transformed into one of Chelsea’s most important attacking players again. His improved form has not happened by accident. Tactical adjustments and a clearer role in the team have helped unlock the striker’s true potential.
Rosenior’s Bold Claim About Pedro
Ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup clash with Wrexham, Rosenior made headlines by claiming that Joao Pedro should be considered among the best strikers in the world.
While the statement initially raised eyebrows, Pedro’s recent performances suggest the manager may have a point. The Brazilian has been in outstanding form, scoring regularly and leading Chelsea’s attack with confidence.
Pedro arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer and made an immediate impact, most memorably with a delicate chip over Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Club World Cup final against PSG.
However, as the season progressed into autumn, his goals dried up and questions began to arise about his ideal role in the team.
The Numbers Behind Pedro’s Improvement
The statistics show just how dramatic Pedro’s transformation has been since Rosenior took charge.
During the 26 matches Pedro played under Enzo Maresca and interim coach Callum McFarlane, he recorded seven goals and four assists.
Under Rosenior, in only 13 matches, Pedro has already produced 11 goals and two assists.
That improvement means his goal involvement has jumped from 0.42 per game to an impressive 1.0 per game.
Pedro is also taking significantly more shots and hitting the target more frequently, highlighting his growing influence in front of goal.
A Clear Role as Chelsea’s No. 9
One of the most important changes is surprisingly simple: Pedro’s position.
Despite speculation during the summer that he might play as a No. 10 or even a winger, he has largely remained Chelsea’s central striker. Injuries to Liam Delap and the inexperience of Marc Guiu have reinforced his role as the team’s primary No. 9.
What has changed is how he operates in that position.
Under Rosenior, Pedro is focusing less on dropping deep to create chances and more on staying close to the opposition goal. His touches inside the opponent’s penalty area have increased significantly, even though his overall touches have slightly decreased.
This tactical tweak has made him far more dangerous.
More Time in the Box Means More Goals
Data shows that Pedro is now spending much more time inside the opposition penalty area.
Earlier in the season against Newcastle United, only six percent of his touches came inside the opposition box. In contrast, during Chelsea’s 4–1 victory over Aston Villa, that number rose to 19 percent.
The difference is clear: Pedro is now receiving the ball in positions where strikers are most likely to score.
The Aston Villa Hat-Trick
Pedro’s hat-trick against Aston Villa perfectly demonstrated his evolution.
For his first goal, he reacted quickly to a developing attack, sprinting into space between defenders to finish Malo Gusto’s cross.
The second goal showed his striker instincts even more clearly, as he stayed on the shoulder of the last defender before calmly chipping the goalkeeper.
His third goal was a classic poacher’s finish, arriving in the perfect position to tap in after Alejandro Garnacho squared the ball across goal.
These are the types of goals Chelsea have been searching for from a centre-forward.
Rosenior’s Tactical Influence
Rosenior recently explained that Pedro’s improvement comes from positioning and confidence.
The Chelsea coach has encouraged the Brazilian to focus on scoring rather than playmaking, allowing creative players like Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez to supply him with chances.
The strategy has worked brilliantly so far.
Pedro is now consistently finding himself in the most dangerous areas of the pitch, and the results are showing on the scoreboard.
Can Pedro Become Chelsea’s 20-Goal Striker?
Chelsea have spent years searching for a reliable striker capable of scoring 20 goals in a Premier League season.
If Pedro continues playing in this role under Rosenior, he may finally become that player.
His improved positioning, increased shot volume and growing confidence suggest that the Brazilian forward could be entering the most productive phase of his career.
