Chelsea complete signing of Joao Pedro from Brighton

Chelsea have complete the signing of Joao Pedro from Brighton on an eight-year deal.

Chelsea will pay £55m with the potential for another £5m in add-ons to bring the Brazilian to Stamford Bridge where he will reunite with former team-mates Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez and Moises Caicedo.

"Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history," Joao Pedro told the club.

"They had brilliant players in the past and have brilliant players now. So I am excited to join and you know when you are a Chelsea player you must think one thing - win."

It's unclear the role Pedro will be primarily tasked with at Chelsea. The 23-year-old rarely seems to stick to one role; if he's deployed up front, he likes to drop deep to link up play and if he's used in a deeper role he likes to make runs in behind.

Chelsea's summer spending spree shows no signs of slowing down with a bloated squad continuing to grow. While Enzo Maresca isn't short of defenders, he has an embarrassment of riches at the other end of the pitch.

Noni Madueke may depart for Arsenal, but he'll likely be replaced by Jamie Gittens with Alejandro Garnacho also a target.

Estevao is set to join after the Club World Cup with Liam Delap already signing. A deal was agreed for Geovany Quenda to join towards the end of last season with the 18-year-old moving to the Premier League next summer.

Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku may leave Stamford Bridge in the summer, but the likes of Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto will make up a potent attacking line-up.

One of the main criticisms of Maresca last season was his inability to navigate low blocks, but Pedro should help with that.

Jamie Gittens provides raw pace on one flank, while Palmer is comfortable drifting in from the left. Delap has the size and strength to occupy central defenders, while Pedro has the versatility and technical ability to operate in different areas, adding new dimensions to Chelsea's attack.

Pedro leaves Brighton after two seasons, where he recorded 28 goal contributions in 58 matches.

Liam Williams

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