Former Chelsea player names the summer signing he thinks 'is a bargain'

Emmanuel Petit believes Joao Pedro was acquired by Chelsea at a "bargain," and can foresee the former Brighton star pushing out an incumbent at Stamford Bridge.

Joao Pedro joined Chelsea at the beginning of this month, after the group stage at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup was already finished. The 23-year-old made a substitute appearance in the quarter-finals before slotting into the starting XI for Enzo Maresca in the semi-finals.

It was in that game that Joao Pedro announced himself to Chelsea fans, as he scored both goals in a 2-0 win against boyhood club Fluminense to propel the Blues into Sunday's final.

Petit, who spent the last three years of his playing career with Chelsea, has already seen enough of Joao Pedro to predict that the Brazilian's will presence will hasten the exit of Nicolas Jackson from the club.

"Joao Pedro is a very talented young player and he's got a lot of qualities," Petit told ESportsBets.com. "Movement, pace, technique and his first touch as well. I really like him. 

"He links up with team-mates and can score goals, he isn’t a top goalscorer right now but he can improve. 

"I’m not sure that Nicolas Jackson will stay at the club, so I think £60million is a bargain for Chelsea. He is 23, he fits in with what Chelsea want to do and he has impressed me since he joined Brighton.

"What Brighton have done is tremendous and I think it’s interesting for Chelsea, but it’s going to be very difficult for Pedro to get into the starting XI.

"Enzo Maresca is a big fan of Liam Delap having worked with him at Manchester City, so there is real competition for a starting place now."

Watch every match of the 2025 Club World Cup live and free on DAZN.  More information and to sign up for a free account here