Pedro could be the spark to inspire Chelsea in light of their goal woes... but Antonio Conte needs him to start delivering performances like his one against Newcastle more consistently
- It's not there for Pedro just yet but he could be the man to stop Chelsea's goal rut
- The Spaniard has struggled this season but was excellent against Newcastle
- Pedro was the creative spark as Chelsea progressed to the FA Cup fifth round
- Chelsea manager Antonio Conte will want to see more consistent performances
- If the winger can do that he could be the man to inspire Chelsea's misfiring side
When Chelsea were stuttering on their way to the Premier League title finish line last season, it was not Eden Hazard who pulled them out of a hole that was threatening their silverware hopes.
The final big step came at Goodison Park, against Everton, with a defeat at Manchester United two weeks before still fresh in the mind. Chelsea passed the hour, scoreless. There was a chance for the title door to open to Tottenham.
Step forward Pedro with the goal to calm minds and set up the trophy lift in May.
Attacking midfielder Pedro could be the man to life Chelsea out of their recent goalscoring rut
Pedro forged a history of being decisive in big games last season: Everton away, Spurs at Stamford Bridge, United at home.
But this time around he has been anything but. If anyone sums up Chelsea's attacking malaise it is not Hazard, Michy Batshuayi, or Alvaro Morata — it's Pedro.
The Spanish winger has been the man dropped out by Antonio Conte's switch from 3-4-3 to 3-5-2 and when he has stepped in, he has looked poor.
The Spaniard has struggled this season but against Newcastle he looked like the Pedro of old
Away at Arsenal on Wednesday night was perhaps the low point: a dire performance that saw him withdrawn on 65 minutes as Chelsea crashed out of the Carabao Cup.
On Sunday at Stamford Bridge, against Newcastle United, it was a different story. This was the Pedro of old, charging around, causing a nuisance to defenders and - notably - being decisive.
In a game that looked like being played out between two managers averse to attacking, he sprung the counter to take apart the visitors' defence and set up Batshuayi, via touches from Hazard and Marcos Alonso.
Pedro took apart the visitors' defence to start the move for Michy Batshuayi's opening goal
It was a fantastic cross-field ball: piercing between the Newcastle centre backs and into Hazard's path, floated from Pedro's right boot after he had picked the ball up mid-way inside his own half before turning to switch defence to attack.
That's just what Chelsea have been looking for. Here, and against Arsenal, they created too few chances for the quality they possess. Part of the blame goes to Conte's defensive tactics, and part to the attacking players who have been far too ineffective.
While they wait for Morata to return to open up defences, others need to do more.
His performance almost for rewarded with a goal but he couldn't beat Karl Darlow from close
And Pedro almost got a reward of a goal to go with it in the second half, denied by goalkeeper Karl Darlow after an iffy first touch when bringing down Ethan Ampadu's ball over the top.
He was withdrawn shortly after for youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi.
It's not quite there for the former Barcelona man just yet, but Chelsea need more from Pedro and Co to inspire a side who seem prone to misfiring of late.
He was eventually withdrawn but if he can perform like this more often he could be a big asset
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