'World class' Joao Pedro fills Costa's shoes at Chelsea

Birmingham — Nine years after Diego Costa powered Chelsea to the 2016-17 Premier League title, another Brazilian striker is shouldering the goal-scoring burden at Stamford Bridge. Joao Pedro’s first English top-flight hat-trick, struck in a 4-1 defeat of Aston Villa on Saturday, has propelled the 24-year-old to within three goals of the 20-mark in all competitions and reignited belief that the club will return to the Champions League next season.

The former Brighton forward, signed for £55 million in July, cancelled out Douglas Luiz’s early opener by drifting beyond Ezri Konsa to convert at the far post, then lifted a delicate chip over Emiliano Martinez on the stroke of half-time. After Cole Palmer had lashed in a third, Joao Pedro completed his treble from Alejandro Garnacho’s low cross, sealing a victory that lifts Chelsea to fifth and trims the gap on Villa to three points with at least a dozen fixtures remaining.

Only Erling Haaland has more non-penalty Premier League goals this term than Joao Pedro’s 14, while seven assists underline a wider influence that head coach Liam Rosenior lauded as “world class”.

“He gets a hat-trick and it is an outstanding team performance,” Rosenior said. “His goal with his left foot is world class, but I was really delighted with his two tap-ins. He was in the right place at the right time [and we have] worked hard with him on that.”

The match-winner himself admitted relief after a difficult week. “I think it is a special night for me,” Joao Pedro told TNT Sport. “My hat-trick came at the right moment, after we lost against Arsenal. I work a lot to be ready for this moment and I have great players around me.”

Chelsea supporters rose in unison when their new talisman was withdrawn in the 85th minute, recognition of a contribution that stretches well beyond goals. Club sources highlight the Brazilian’s mentorship of compatriots Estevao Willian and Andrey Santos, his willingness to front media duties after defeats and an easy rapport with English, Spanish and French-speaking dressing-room cliques.

The No 20 shirt — chosen after Liam Delap inherited the historically leaden No 9 — has carried none of the baggage that hampered high-priced predecessors. Joao Pedro scored twice and assisted three times in his opening four league appearances, struck three goals in as many Club World Cup starts and has hit 10 Premier League goals in nine games under Rosenior, adding two more against Napoli to bypass the Champions League play-off round.

With an FA Cup trip to Wrexham and a quarter-final against Paris St-Germain looming, the forward has ample opportunity to become Chelsea’s first 20-goal striker since Costa. On current evidence, few would bet against him.