13 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

First time tonight where I saw signs that he isn't a natural striker. So many times he didn't anticipate the cross. He was constantly on his heels.

I also thought that, once again, Maresca's tactics hindered him. Had too much work to do on the half way line, but that's not his game. He's better in attacking areas, dragging defenders out of the way.

First instance where we have really missed Delap. He would have been great bullying the BM defenders (especially the No.4 who was subbed) with Pedro playing off him and Neto not in the side as he was hopeless last night (lot of effort though!).

Hard to tell whether it's Pedro, exhaustion/unfitness given his broken preseason, or the manager's tactics, but he's looking a bit sh*te to be honest. Just isn't getting anywhere near enough shots off.

Edited September 19, 2025Sep 19 by SydneyChelsea

9 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Hard to tell whether it's Pedro, exhaustion/unfitness given his broken preseason, or the manager's tactics, but he's looking a bit sh*te to be honest. Just isn't getting anywhere near enough shots off.

Hasn't looked comfortable playing st.

He isn't a striker, and we've lost our only legitimate striker for 4 months. Guiu is the only other one, but he doesn't have the necessary experience. Then we got rid of Jackson because we needed space to sign Garnacho. It's been a bit of a farce really. I'd actually have preferred to have kept Jackson if we knew Delap would get medium term injured, but hindsight and all that.

53 minutes ago, Bob stark said:

Hasn't looked comfortable playing st.

Even when he wasn't played ST he was pretty bad.

10 hours ago, Remodez said:

Even when he wasn't played ST he was pretty bad.

Really? That was a serious comment? Is it just that game you were referring to?

14 minutes ago, just said:

Really? That was a serious comment? Is it just that game you were referring to?

Brentford game, yes. He looked just as poor at number 10 when George came on to go striker.

10 hours ago, Remodez said:

Brentford game, yes. He looked just as poor at number 10 when George came on to go striker.

Brentford game I agree, but then he didn't look 100% fit. Other than that though he has really impressed me. Didn't realise he had such a good first touch and his aerial ability is way above Jackson's.

Joao Pedro was scoring at almost a goal a game for half a dozen games. That alone is an asset to the team. He may be able to contribute more as a no.10 but is always prepared to operate as a striker. He may be not fully fit and or his form dropping off but doubt we need to call the police just yet.

Hes up there towards the "James Caicedo Palmer Cucurella" bracket for me.

On 20/09/2025 at 18:19, OTL said:

Hes up there towards the "James Caicedo Palmer Cucurella" bracket for me.

If you have 5 wc player, you should contend.

On 20/09/2025 at 11:19, OTL said:

Joao Pedro was scoring at almost a goal a game for half a dozen games. That alone is an asset to the team. He may be able to contribute more as a no.10 but is always prepared to operate as a striker. He may be not fully fit and or his form dropping off but doubt we need to call the police just yet.

Hes up there towards the "James Caicedo Palmer Cucurella" bracket for me.

Could have said the same thing about Jacko once upon a time...

Jacko never had a decent header on him just the unconvincing odd glance and always had a problem with a 1 on 1 against the keeper, where he was better was leading the line ready for the quick through ball.

On 20/09/2025 at 10:39, just said:

Brentford game I agree, but then he didn't look 100% fit. Other than that though he has really impressed me. Didn't realise he had such a good first touch and his aerial ability is way above Jackson's.

And, even in that game, he still managed to grab an assist.

Sky Sports

Joao Pedro interview: Chelsea forward on his position, Ro...

Joao Pedro has proved to be an inspired signing for Chelsea; he spoke to Sky Sports to discuss his evolution into one of the Premier Leagues top attackers; watch Man Utd vs Chelsea live on Sky Sports

Shocking for him to be given two yellows. The second one literally didn't touch the opposing player, surely that gets overturned? Should be a yellow for diving/holding his face.

I didn't see replays of the first but from the stands it looked totally innocuous and was only given after the ref saw the diving/rolling around from the Benfica player.

3 minutes ago, Shweaves said:

Shocking for him to be given two yellows. The second one literally didn't touch the opposing player, surely that gets overturned? Should be a yellow for diving/holding his face.

I didn't see replays of the first but from the stands it looked totally innocuous and was only given after the ref saw the diving/rolling around from the Benfica player.

The ref had a shocker imo and maybe got caught up by the atmosphere in the crowds. Buonanotte getting carded for that tackle at the start of the 2nd was criminal as well. Hopefully UEFA reviews his performance because he apparently managed to anger both fanbases/managers 😅

I agree, I saw people saying "you don't raise your foot that high" in the matchday thread, but that means that every single bicycle kick should be disallowed, which is stupid. He did not foul the Benfica player, so should not be punished. The referee was conned.

On 23/09/2025 at 13:30, bisright1 said:

Could have said the same thing about Jacko once upon a time...

Couldnt in good faith with a straight face. Even when he scored, he was rubbish .

2 hours ago, Shweaves said:

Shocking for him to be given two yellows. The second one literally didn't touch the opposing player, surely that gets overturned? Should be a yellow for diving/holding his face.

I didn't see replays of the first but from the stands it looked totally innocuous and was only given after the ref saw the diving/rolling around from the Benfica player.

Can't overturn a red from two yellows. Only straight red.

3 hours ago, bluedave said:

I agree, I saw people saying "you don't raise your foot that high" in the matchday thread, but that means that every single bicycle kick should be disallowed, which is stupid. He did not foul the Benfica player, so should not be punished. The referee was conned.

Not only that, but every bicycle kick would result in a yellow card. Nonsense!

3 hours ago, bluedave said:

I agree, I saw people saying "you don't raise your foot that high" in the matchday thread, but that means that every single bicycle kick should be disallowed, which is stupid. He did not foul the Benfica player, so should not be punished. The referee was conned.

A good point there, they are going OTT, and like you say we may never see an overhead goal again if defenders know to get a player sent off just run into and go down holding your head.

Needs to be a balance and I think they got it wrong yesterday.

1 hour ago, dermott said:

Can't overturn a red from two yellows. Only straight red.

One of the two rules I'd implement is no one gets booked for diving but they do receive a 3 match suspension after the event and the other is the ability to appeal a second yellow for a sending off

People shouldn't be suspended for someone diving.

Ancelotti explained JP's absence from the list (2 friendlies) just a moment ago, stating that he's been carrying a knock and needs the international break to fully recover.

Edited October 1, 2025Oct 1 by acaeus

1 hour ago, acaeus said:

Ancelotti explained JP's absence from the list (2 friendlies) just a moment ago, stating that he's been carrying a knock and needs the international break to fully recover.

Great.

I hope Ecuador do the same f**king thing.

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Great.

I hope Ecuador do the same f**king thing.

I'm fairly sure they all will.