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Wednesday, 16 September 2026dailybeirut.com
Football
João Pedro has recorded six goal contributions in four matches for Chelsea, breaking the club’s “number 9 curse,” after scoring three goals in the 2025 Club World Cup and delivering 20 goals and 6 assists in 50 matches during the 2025–2026 season.
João Pedro has registered six goal contributions — goals and assists combined — in just four matches for Chelsea, ending the long-standing “number 9 curse” at Stamford Bridge. The streak includes his decisive assist and goal in a 2–2 draw with Hull City.
Barcelona identified João Pedro as a complete striker last summer but failed to secure his signature. The Brazilian, then a Brighton player, had expressed openness to a move to the Camp Nou. In mid-May, sporting director Deco met with his agents in London, according to the Spanish newspaper AS.
That window closed when Chelsea finalized a €70 million transfer in July 2025. The fee reshaped Barcelona’s valuation of the player, and as their interest faded, Chelsea moved swiftly — signing him to a contract running until 2032, with an option for a two-year extension and a substantial salary increase.
João Pedro joined Chelsea in the summer of 2025 and immediately helped the club win the Club World Cup, scoring three goals across three matches — including one in the 3–0 final victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite Chelsea’s failure to qualify for European competition in the 2025–2026 season, the 24-year-old Brazilian delivered 20 goals and 6 assists in 50 appearances. His performances were not enough to earn inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup squad — a decision that drew public commentary from his manager.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s match against Hull City, manager Xabi Alonso praised João Pedro extensively, comparing him directly to Karim Benzema. “He reminds me of Karim Benzema in many ways,” Alonso said. “He is good inside and outside the box, he is skilled at moving to his left, and he is good in the air. He is a complete player, intelligent, and he still has a lot to develop, but he possesses many exceptional qualities.”
Alonso added: “If we count the number of outstanding strikers in the Premier League, I am certain that Joao is among them. And Haaland too, without a doubt.”
The “number 9 curse” at Stamford Bridge refers to the string of high-profile forwards — Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao, Álvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuaín, Romelu Lukaku, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang — who failed to sustain elite output wearing the shirt. João Pedro’s six contributions in four matches mark the first sustained impact by a Chelsea number 9 in years.
Alonso also addressed João Pedro’s omission from Brazil’s World Cup squad: “His level has been absolutely wonderful, not only on the footballing side, but also in terms of his personality, maturity and ambition. This year he has a clear objective: to deliver a standout season, and to be nominated for the player of the month award, not just this month, but for several months to come.”
The 2026–2027 campaign marked a turning point. João Pedro opened the season with two goals and four assists in his first three league matches. His form earned him a recall to the Brazil national team during the September international break. He was named Premier League Player of the Month for August.
