Top of the log, back to back wins; Chelsea are definitely not joking this season.
And this scintillating form has earned three key players of the team accolades. The Blues coach, Antonio Conte beat David Moyes, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola to win the Manager of the Month Award for November; Diego Costa; the league’s joint-top scorer on 11 goals was named Player of the Month, edging put teammate Pedro, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sergio Aguero, Jordan Pickford and Matt Phillips to the honour. And lastly, Pedro’s strike against Tottenham was voted the goal of the month.
LVG unfair to Victor Valdes but that didn't influence my decision – Pedro
Recent Chelsea signing Pedro has denied reports that he turned down a move to Manchester United to avoid working under coach Louis van Gaal. Pedro, 28, signed for Chelsea last month from Barcelona despite reported interest from the Red Devils.
It was widely reported that conversations with former Barca teammates such as Cesc Fabregas and Victor Valdes caused Pedro to reconsider United, while reports in Spain suggested his doubts were due to the strained relationship between Van Gaal and some of his Spanish players. Van Gaal announced in July that Valdes has no future at Old Trafford and has left the former Barca goalkeeper out of his Champions League squad, while David De Gea has not played this season and missed out on a deadline day move to Real Madrid.
But when asked if his decision to join Chelsea and not United was based on the difficult situation between Van Gaal and his Spanish keepers, Pedro told Marca: “No. It’s true that I don’t like that treatment for my colleagues, especially for Victor, who has been a reference as a teammate and as a professional. “I don’t believe it’s fair but it didn’t influence my decision.”
Pedro — who scored on his debut to help Chelsea to a 3-2 win over West Brom on Aug. 22 — says the Blues were more proactive in acquiring his services, adding: “I just saw that Manchester didn’t take that step, that they were taking too long and I needed a team to start. Chelsea were more decisive.”
Pedro, who is in Madrid with the Spain national team preparing for Euro 2016 qualifying games against Slovakia and Macedonia, says he spoke to former Barca teammate Valdes before making his decision.
“Yes, a lot,” he said. “He told me that the club [United] was very good and there was a great fan following, that his only problem was the situation with the coach.”
When asked if Valdes recommended that he not sign for United because of Van Gaal, Pedro answered: “Absolutely not. He spoke very well of the club. It’s a great club but I believe I have chosen well to join Chelsea, I’m convinced. “I had an important chat with [Chelsea coach Jose] Mourinho, who told me that he wanted me, that with me they would have a better team and he said many things that I liked to hear. “That combined with the possibility to live in London was what made me decide.”
Pedro signed a four-year contract with Chelsea and so far is thrilled.
WHAT PEDRO'S MOVE MEANS FOR CLUB, COUNTRY AND LEAGUE
After several weeks of speculations and rumors over the future of Pedro Rodriguez and his next destination, he finally completed a move to Chelsea Football Club amidst interest from several other clubs. The movement of Pedro will have impact or consequence on alot of things but most prominently; his former club, new club, home country and the new league he just joined.
FOR BARCELONA: The arrival of Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr at Barca meant less playing time for the likes of Pedro given the amount spent on them, their pedigree and status. Worse still, they formed a lethal combo with Messi and tore apart whatever stands between them and the goal post.
Unarguably, the trio deserves to start every game provided they are fit and eligible but the big question is; what happens when they are not?
The defeat in the first leg of the Super Cup final against Athletic Bilbao after six changes was made to the starting xi portrayed a genuine concern over the depth of the squad and quality of the bench.
All of these makes the dedication and commitment with which they went about the sale of Pedro shocking. He is one of the few players that has shown time and time again that he can deliver whenever his called upon no matter how big the occasion is.
The poorest reply to having a young side that finished last in the second division, a poor bench and a transfer ban that won’t be lifted until January is selling an established player who may not be good enough to break into the best eleven but good enough to make a mark incase things go awry. Just like Gab Marcotti put it, Pedro was Barca’s insurance if and when something goes wrong with MSN and the thing about insurance is that – it may seem irrelevant and somewhat needless but they day something goes wrong, one would be glad to have it in place. It is hard to see how exactly the sale of Pedro profits Barcelona except for the million they got from it.
FOR CHELSEA: A run of three games without a win, shambolic display against city and front line that consists of a striker that has now taken to fighting rather than scoring and disappearing wingers highlights the need for new injection. Chelsea have not had it easy since the commencement of the season and the side cries for renewed motivation, fresh legs and quality.
In Pedro, they may have found answers to certain problems. He is a forward-minded player who scores effortlessly, dribbles well and as well plays with the team. Moreso, Pedro isn’t a kind of player that disappears or fits into the pocket of defenders, rather, he is knows to always deliver!
Huge wealth of experience, immense quality, number of European titles and a world Cup medal all at €30Million is sure a good bargain. I mean, we know of someone that only boasts of prospect, few goals /assists and a number of kids but cost £50Million.
FOR THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: The English Premier League is by far the most competitive and glamorous league in the world and this is a result of the stars it parades who inevitably provides premium entertainment in goals, dribbles and style. This doesn’t only increase its fan base but also attracts players from leagues across Europe. The addition of Pedro adds to that and fans of the league may as well be ready for an increased dose of entertainment.
However, the signing of Pedro (and a few others from other leagues) also adds to the growing concern of foreign influx into the league which has led to the dearth of home grown talent.
The home grown rule designed by the England FA to compel clubs to sign or include home grown players in their squad won’t mean much if these players don’t get to play. It forfeits the intention of the rule and in the long run, renders it ineffective.
Just like Biola Kazeem put it in a twitter chat with a blog recently (read it here ), the EPL’s success is a blessing and a CURSE and that sums the consequence or impact of Pedro’s addition to the league.
FOR SPAIN: The first thing that comes to mind at the mention of the Spain National team isn’t the exciting and talent-ridden squad that won the world Cup in South Africa but an ailing, disjointed team that was dumped out in the group stage in Brazil. There is no gain-saying that Spain needs new, fresh legs with more zeal, motivation and hunger for success.
Truth be told, there are talent but questions can be raised over experience, exposure and club playing time. Summarily, the lack of playing time for players like Pedro hurts the National team. At 28, Pedro doesn’t qualify as a ‘young talent’ but his quality, wealth of experience and knowledge of the tactics and game plan of the squad is priceless and hugely needed.
His move to Chelsea means less time on the bench and more time on the field of play where he can regain confidence, fitness and form. With Euro 2016 just around the corner, Spain have every reason to smile at this move.
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Adeshina Peter
You can follow him on Twitter via @shina_pitta
Chelsea complete signing of Pedro
After several weeks of speculations and links with several clubs, Pedro Rodriguez has finally completed a move to Chelsea Fc of England for €30Million. Pedro grew frustrated with a lack of first team football at Barcelona following the arrival of Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr.
A statement on the Barcelona website read:
“FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Pedro Rodriguez for €30 million, of which €3m are dependent on performance. The club wishes to publicly
express its gratitude to Pedro Rodriguez for his professionalism and dedication while with the club, as well as to wish him all the best in the future.”
Pedro told the Chelsea website:
“I am very happy to be here. I am very excited to start my adventure at Chelsea and I am here to keep winning titles. Thanks to the club and the supporters for giving me the opportunity to put the blue shirt on.”
Sources told ESPN FC on Wednesday that conversations with former Barcelona teammates such as Cesc Fabregas and Victor Valdes caused Pedro to reconsider his first preference and United ended their interest in signing the winger despite Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal’s praise for the player earlier this month. Chelsea are now expected to sell winger Juan Cuadadro less than nine months after his £23m move from Fiorentina in February.
Chelsea hijack Pedro from Manchester United
Chelsea are close to completing the signing of Barcelona’s Pedro Rodriguez who Manchester United have targeted and chased for several weeks. Chelsea have agreed to pay a fee of €28 million (£19.7m) with a further €2m (£1.4m) in add-ons to sign the winger, who underwent a medical in London on Wednesday, according to sources.
United had long been expected to close a deal for the 28-year-old, with the Spain international having agreed terms with the Old Trafford club, only for executive vice chairman Ed Woodward to encounter frustration in negotiations with Barca.
Once aware of that, Chelsea decided to immediately act on Jose Mourinho’s own long-held interest in the player, and the green light was given at Stamford Bridge to try to hijack the move in the manner they did to Tottenham Hotspur with Willian two years ago.
On Wednesday, sources said that United have ended their interest in signing the winger, despite Louis van Gaal’s previous praise for the player. Pedro has a £22m release clause in his contract at Camp Nou and United had considered that a reasonable amount.
But although the Spaniard is a player manager Van Gaal liked, the fact he opted not to activate the buyout clause over the past few weeks is a sign the Dutchman harbored doubts about whether to purchase him.
Manchester United agree a deal with Barca over Pedro
English side, Manchester United have reached an agreement with European Champions, FC Barcelona over the signing of Pedro Rodriguez. The two sides have settled on a transfer fee of £18.1million (€26m) initially, with a potential further £4.2m (€6m) to be paid in variable bonuses.
Barcelona are, however, keen to retain the player until after next week’s Uefa Super Cup tie with Europa League winners Sevilla in the traditional season curtain-raiser in Tbilisi on Tuesday.
The Spain international signed a new four-year deal in June, with the club announcing publicly that his €150m release clause remained in effect. However, a gentlemen’s agreement was made allowing the player to leave for a lower fee should the buying club suit both parties.
While Pedro has yet to agree personal terms with United, he is keen on a switch which would allow him greater playing time than he has experienced since Luis Suarez’s arrival at the Camp Nou last summer. United boss Louis van Gaal admitted recently that the 28-year-old is just the type of player his team has been lacking.
Photos: Barcelona star, Pedro Rodriguez weds
Barcelona striker, Pedro Rodriguez walked his long time fiancee and mother if his child, Carolina Martin, down the aisle yesterday 20th June, 2015. Yesterday was also his colleague, Ivan Rakitic and Raquel Mauri s wedding.
Aside family, friends and well-wishers, guests at Pedro’s event also included Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Carles Puyol, Marc Bartra, Xavi,and Eric Abidal.