New Chelsea signing Joao Pedro is one of those strikers who can play in a number of different positions.
These types of players are very modern and what a lot of managers love to work with, purely because they are so good that they can do a good job anywhere on the pitch.
While their versatility is inherently a good thing, sometimes it can backfire, as a manager might not know what the player’s best position is.
Thankfully, in Pedro’s case, the Brazilian is very aware of his best position on the pitch.
Pedro has arrived at Chelsea and really hit the ground running, scoring and assisting in pretty much every game he has played so far since he joined the Blues in the USA for the Club World Cup over the summer.
In a recent interview, the Brazilian opened up about his best position on the pitch and also highlighted how Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca urges him to improve in training.
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Joao Pedro reveals his best position on the pitch
In an interview with the Evening Standard, Pedro shed light on his journey through the ranks and also highlighted how he became an out-and-out number 9.
“When I arrived in the USA, Enzo said: ‘I want you as a No. 9’. In training, he says, ‘João, you need to be more clinical in this part, make a touch to the right here.’ I love this kind of coach. If you don’t get feedback, it’s difficult to improve.
“I moved to Fluminense aged ten, and I was a No. 10. At Under-16s, one director there told me I was going to be a No. 9. Okay, no problem, so I started to play as a No9. In three games, I scored 15 goals. Then in a tournament in Belo Horizonte, I was the second top-scorer, and Watford started to call my agent.
“Old No. 9s held it up, were physical; my style is different,” he says. “I’m very good in one-versus-ones, can pass, get assists, score. I’m a modern No. 9 who can play No10. I play in small spaces.”
He admits he must “score more goals with my head”, despite netting two headers in Chelsea’s last two games.”
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