Chelsea fans are torn between Joao Pedro, Nicolas Jackson, and Liam Delap as the club’s first-choice striker for the 2025/26 campaign — but Pedro’s dream debut might have just sealed the deal.
Brazilian striker Joao Pedro has made a thunderous entry into Chelsea’s starting eleven, scoring a brilliant brace that secured the Blues a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup final. Barely a week after his £60 million move from Brighton, Pedro’s performance against Fluminense is already shifting fan expectations and tactical preferences at Stamford Bridge.
The two-goal hero left defenders trailing and Chelsea fans buzzing, with many declaring him the answer to the club’s long-standing striker dilemma.
“Now this is what I call a striker. Two chances, two goals — that’s it,” said Tavarez Santos, one of many excited supporters at MetLife Stadium. “I prefer him to start ahead of Jackson and Delap.”
Another fan, Josue, echoed similar sentiments:
“He’s going to be a massive problem for defenders in England. His clever runs, sharp finishing, and link-up play were unreal.”
Joao Pedro, who respectfully didn’t celebrate either goal out of loyalty to boyhood club Fluminense, becomes Chelsea’s 18th attacking signing under the new ownership — bringing their total spend on forwards to a staggering £560 million in just over three years, according to BBC Sport.
The Competition
Pedro’s fiery start has now complicated the striker hierarchy at Chelsea, especially under new manager Enzo Maresca.
- Nicolas Jackson, 24, has shown flashes of brilliance but continues to struggle with consistency. A missed sitter against Fluminense and a red card versus Flamengo in the same tournament have put his status under scrutiny. Former Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel even suggested Jackson could now be Chelsea’s third-choice forward.
- Liam Delap, signed for £30 million from Ipswich Town, offers physical presence and traditional No. 9 energy. He impressed with both a goal and an assist in the World Cup campaign, and could still be key in tougher Premier League clashes.
But it’s Pedro, with his lethal finishing and calm under pressure, who seems to be capturing the hearts of Chelsea fans and possibly even locking down the coveted No. 9 slot.
While the debate rages on, one thing is clear — Chelsea finally have options up front. With Pedro already delivering on the big stage, Maresca may have to make the toughest decision of his debut season: who leads the attack when the Premier League kicks off?
If the fans had a vote, Joao Pedro might already have the job.
