Hat-trick hero Joao Pedro made it 9 targets in 9 video games to offer Chelsea a major increase of their bid to qualify for the Champions League.
His intelligent motion on the again publish allowed him to get freed from Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa to equalise, whereas his dinked end simply earlier than half-time underlined his high quality.
Commercial
His third was one other tap-in after Alejandro Garnacho exploited Villa’s excessive line and his 71st minute overhead-kick – which went simply vast – highlighted his joga bonito – ‘play stunning’ – spirit.
The ahead’s all-round means means he can rating several types of targets – shut vary or lengthy vary, along with his toes and along with his head, scientific and spectacular.
Solely Manchester Metropolis pair Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo, together with Brentford’s Igor Thiago, have scored greater than his 14 Premier League targets this season.
And Joao Pedro, who has additionally contributed seven assists, has reached that whole with none penalties to spice up the tally.
Commercial
Not since Diego Costa’s efforts within the 2016-17 title‑profitable marketing campaign have Chelsea had a striker able to scoring 20 targets in a single season, with Tammy Abraham, a Villa substitute on Wednesday, coming closest throughout his time at Stamford Bridge.
It’s not simply his output that has impressed employees at Chelsea. Joao Pedro has additionally acted as a mentor for younger Brazilians Estevao Willian and Andrey Santos, and he’s identified for volunteering for tough duties similar to talking to the media after disappointing defeats.
Chelsea consider they chose the proper striker and have had worth for cash from their £55m take care of Brighton, in a summer season that Alexander Isak joined Liverpool, Benjamin Sesko moved to Manchester United and Viktor Gyokeres signed for Arsenal.