João Pedro targets Diego Costa

João Pedro has become synonymous with goals in London. In his first season at Stamford Bridge, the Brazilian has exceeded every expectation imaginable. An undisputed starter – first under Enzo Maresca and now under Liam Rosenior – he is closing in on a milestone set by a Chelsea legend, Diego Costa: breaking the 20-goal barrier. He is moving rapidly toward that mark, and many believe he could even surpass it.

It has been a long time since a striker stirred as much excitement at Stamford Bridge as the former Brighton forward has. Arriving and immediately conquering what had become a near-impossible summit – Chelsea’s attack – was no small feat. Since Costa’s departure, more than half a dozen forwards have passed through the club without leaving a lasting mark: Timo Werner, Radamel Falcao, Gonzalo Higuaín, Álvaro Morata, Kai Havertz, Nico Jackson and others. Aside from the notable exceptions of Olivier Giroud and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the evidence suggested the Chelsea No. 9 shirt had become cursed.

Everything changed last summer. Without much noise around negotiations conducted largely out of the spotlight – and with a transfer fee exceeding $65 million involved – João Pedro arrived ready to make an immediate impact.He played a major role in the team’s triumph at the Club World Cup, scoring three goals in three games and announcing himself on the global stage. But the best was still to come. His real moment was yet to arrive.

His weight in gold

João Pedro is different. A modern forward with exquisite technique, he drops into midfield to help build attacks and needs little to cause damage in front of goal. According to SofaScore data, he averages 75% passing accuracy in the attacking half, completes 50% of his dribbles per game and has a conversion rate of 25%. In other words, one out of every four shots on target ends up in the net. That efficiency has carried him to 17 goals and nine assists in 38 games – just three short of Costa’s mark.

But the former Fluminense player offers more than numbers. For him, the team always comes first. “I just try not to think too much about what’s outside. I try to do my best in every game and hopefully I can keep doing that and reach 20 goals this season. I’ve been here in England a long time, six years. I worked very hard to get here, to reach a big club. My opportunity came and now I have to try to give my best every day,” he said after his standout performance against Aston Villa.

It is an opportunity he has not wasted. Not only is he the team’s top scorer, he has also become a major presence inside the locker room. A captain without the armband, he even guides younger players such as Estêvão and Andrey Santos. When he speaks, teammates listen. His level and influence have been so strong that even in Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti is said to view him as his striker for the World Cup – a reward for a career built on hard work and dedication.

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