
We
take a detailed look at Pedro's impressive debut in Chelsea's 3-2 win
against West Brom...
This breathless, incident-packed encounter was a crash course in Premier
League football for Pedro – and Chelsea's new signing passed with flying
colours.
John Terry's sending off ensured Pedro will have to share the headlines, but
Jose Mourinho could hardly have asked for more from his new signing, who
scored one and set up another as he emphatically vindicated his manager's
decision to start him just four days after his £21.4m move from Barcelona.
Mourinho and Tony Pulis are two managers who pride themselves on defensive
organisation, but chaos took over in the driving rain at the Hawthorns. Five
goals, a saved penalty, a red card and a frantic tempo made this rip-roaring
Premier League thriller a baptism of fire for Chelsea's new number 17.
Mourinho was questioned about his decision to start Pedro in his pre-match
interview with Sky Sports. "It is not a matter of how long he needs to adapt
or how long it will take for a team to adapt to him," he said. "He is a
super player."
It soon became clear why the Chelsea manager was so confident. Pedro was
energetic off the ball and neat and tidy in possession in the opening
exchanges, and he immediately looked comfortable on his favoured right
flank.
James Morrison's botched penalty in the 14th minute was a major let-off for
the visitors, but soon afterwards Pedro provided the kind of spark they have
been lacking so far this season. There was a hint of good fortune about his
deflected finish, but the goal was entirely of his own making.
Pedro was a full 60 yards from Boaz Myhill's goal when he picked up the ball
and exchanged passes with Cesc Fabregas. He showed pace, purpose and
impeccable balance as he drove forward, and a one-two with Eden Hazard
allowed him to clip his finish off Jonas Olsson and into the bottom corner.
Having appeared so close to joining Manchester United rather than Chelsea,
the away fans took great pleasure in belting out a chorus of 'Are you
watching Manchester?'. Back on the pitch, Pedro's performance went from
strength to strength.
His next decisive contribution arrived just 10 minutes later when he
collected Willian's pass following a rapid counter-attack and unleashed a
low, diagonal drive which was diverted into the net by Diego Costa.
Morrison pulled a goal back before Cesar Azpilicueta re-established
Chelsea's three-goal advantage in a hectic spell just before half-time, and
in between those strikes there was another flash of quality from Pedro.
After collecting a pass from Costa on the right, he skilfully skipped over
OIsson's challenge, cut inside Chris Brunt and provided a perfect lay-off
for Willian, who fired wastefully wide. Pedro's brilliant build up deserved
better.
He is dynamite, absolutely brilliant.
Terry's sending off and Morrison's second goal early in the second half gave
Chelsea plenty of work to do to grind out the victory, and it also allowed
Pedro to showcase the different sides of his game.
"He was sensational today, but not just with the ball, without it," added
Redknapp. Indeed, as well as providing a devastating outlet going forward,
Pedro embraced his defensive duties in a manner that will have delighted
Mourinho.
Pedro worked tirelessly. Premier League tracking data shows he made 60
high-intensity sprints, more than any other player on the pitch, and no
Chelsea player made more than his two tackles.
But as well as the graft, Pedro provided Chelsea's best attacking moments of
the second half. An accurate far-post cross was half-volleyed narrowly wide
by Costa in the 63rd minute, and he also set up substitute Radamel Falcao
for a gilt-edged chance shortly before his substitution six minutes from
time.
After the game, Fabregas presented Pedro with his man-of-the-match award. "I
knew straight away that he would make an impact," he told Sky Sports. "It is
something that we don't have in our team, this pacey player that goes behind
defenders, that goes one against one. He goes behind defences and stretches
them, while Willian and Eden (prefer) the ball to their feet."
Pedro's pace and movement added a deadly new dimension to Chelsea's attack,
and an 88 per cent pass completion rate showed his efficiency in possession.
It all amounted to a near-perfect debut. "The mentality of this guy is
fantastic," added Fabregas. "I'm very happy for him."
Redknapp summed it up. "£21m looks like an absolute bargain," he said. "He
was sensational today. He set the tempo. He was the spark. He was the player
in that Chelsea team who you felt made a real difference. It looks like an
inspired piece of business."
Chelsea still have concerns in defence and Terry's impending suspension
leaves Mourinho with plenty to ponder, but the manager can take great heart
from his newest addition. Pedro already looks like a perfect fit.