Enzo Maresca’s side let a one-goal lead slip, as they lost all three points to the newly promoted Black Cats in a last-gasp 2-1 defeat. A game to forget as an EFL Cup game awaits them midweek, it is the performance of one Chelsea forward that has many worried.
Taking the lead in just the fourth minute, under fire forward, Alejandro Garnacho, fired a low shot beyond Robin Roefs, marking his first goal in a Chelsea shirt. After a quick start, Le Bris’ men soon grew into the game and just 18 minutes after the opener Wilson Isidor tapped the ball past Robert Sanchez, following a scramble in the box, owing to a long throw, a tactic that is slowly becoming the norm.
What appeared to be a well-earned point for Sunderland dramatically became three in the 93rd minute, as substitutes Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbey combined to take all three points back to the North East.
Walking off the pitch following a game in which they had 70% possession, the Stamford Bridge outfit amassed just 0.97 xG, whereas the Black Cats accumulated 1.16 xG, despite having fewer total shots and shots on target. Worrying stats for a side competing for a place in the top four, a big part of this was due to the performance of Joao Pedro, whose showing has been lambasted by fans.
Joao Pedro Labelled ‘Selfish’ Following ‘Underwhelming’ Performances
Having joined Chelsea from Brighton in the summer, the Brazilian wasted no time and flew out to the Club World Cup, a tournament in which the Blues won, and showed his talents, scoring three goals. Continuing this fine form into the new season, five goal contributions in his opening three Premier League games saw Pedro lauded as a fantastic bit of business.
However, with no goal contributions since mid-September, fans are starting to grow frustrated with what seemed to be the west London side’s next superstar. An opinion that grew bigger owing to a red card in the Champions League against Benfica, his most recent showcase against Sunderland, hasn’t helped his case.
Taking off the field of play following zero attempts on goal, he was dispossessed on three occasions and caught offside twice in his forgettable outing. With Garnacho and Pedro Neto getting a goal and an assist to their name, the Brazilian continues to disappear when his side needs him most.
“Joao Pedro is so overrated. He’s so slow in and out of possession. Going for him instead of Ekitike was a generational mistake, as I said in June. The reason we signed him is just so incredibly stupid too. He doesn’t suit our team either.” one Chelsea fan claimed on X (formerly Twitter), as another went on to say, “Joao Pedro’s decision-making recently has been sooo underwhelming.”
With games coming thick and fast, there is no time for Chelsea fans to be patient with Pedro. Critiqued for his habit of ‘holding onto the ball longer than he needs to’, others are clamouring for the return of Liam Delap. An impassioned response to the Brazilian international’s performances, Maresca will be hoping the Pedro many saw at the Club World Cup will return soon.