Calum McFarlane, the interim head coach who has watched João Pedro from close quarters since mid-season, has been consistently impressed by the Brazilian’s all-round game – his creativity, hold-up play, goalscoring and work ethic. Having served as caretaker head coach, then assistant manager, and now interim head coach, McFarlane has had a front-row seat for the second half of the campaign and sees the 24-year-old as a transformative presence.
McFarlane’s observations
“He brings a lot to the team. He’s got a lot of talent. I see his talent every day – I see what he’s capable of in the Premier League matches and Champions League matches. So, no, it hasn’t surprised me. I think he is a top, top talent,” McFarlane said. The manager’s view carries particular weight given his own unusual path: he joined Chelsea in July 2025 as head coach of the Under-21s, also leading the Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League, before stepping into the first‑team role on an interim basis on 2 January 2026 after Enzo Maresca’s departure. After Liam Rosenior’s brief appointment and sacking on 22 April 2026, McFarlane returned as interim head coach for the remainder of the season, guiding Chelsea to a 1‑0 FA Cup semi‑final victory over Leeds United on 26 April – making him the first English manager to reach the FA Cup final since Frank Lampard in 2020.
Creativity and hold‑up play
João Pedro’s contribution goes far beyond his goal tally. The 6 ft (182 cm) right‑footed forward operates as a “different kind of No. 9”, in the words of former head coach Enzo Maresca, who remarked in October that the Brazilian was not expected to score 20 goals a year. Yet that is precisely what he has done. In his debut season at Chelsea, following a £55 million transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion (plus £5 million in add‑ons) on 2 July 2025, João Pedro has netted 20 goals in all competitions – none from the penalty spot. That milestone makes him the first Chelsea striker to reach 20 goals since Diego Costa in the 2016/17 season. In the Premier League alone he has scored 15 goals and provided 5 assists in the 2025/26 campaign, adding 3 goals in the Champions League and 2 in the FA Cup.
His creativity is rooted in intelligent movement and the ability to drop deep, drawing defenders out of position and linking play. That hold‑up work – shielding the ball, bringing midfielders into the game – has been a hallmark of his game since his early days. It was on full display during Chelsea’s victorious FIFA Club World Cup campaign, where he made a dream start with a brace against Fluminense in the semi‑final and then scored in the 3‑0 final win over Paris Saint‑Germain. Signed on 2 July 2025 and immediately plunged into the squad for that tournament, he showed a composure and technical refinement that belied his age.
His journey to Stamford Bridge began at Fluminense, where he made his senior debut in March 2019. After four seasons at Watford – 109 appearances and 24 goals, occasionally captaining the side in the 2022/23 campaign – he moved to Brighton for a club‑record fee of around £30 million in May 2023. There he made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut and finishing as joint‑top scorer with 19 goals in all competitions during the 2023/24 season. That form prompted Chelsea to pay a reported £60 million (including add‑ons) to bring him to west London, where he now carries a market value estimated at €78.4 million and is under contract until the summer of 2033.
Work ethic and the wider picture
McFarlane’s praise for João Pedro’s work ethic is borne out by a season in which he has played through the club’s managerial turbulence. Chelsea have endured a revolving door in the dugout since Mauricio Pochettino left by mutual consent on 21 May 2024 after a sixth‑place Premier League finish and an EFL Cup final appearance. Enzo Maresca was appointed but departed on 2 January 2026, followed by Rosenior’s short stint. Through it all, João Pedro has maintained his output – a consistency McFarlane attributes to daily habits. “I see what he’s capable of in the Premier League matches and Champions League matches,” the interim boss noted, adding that the forward’s success “hasn’t surprised me.”
The Brazilian’s value has not gone unnoticed elsewhere. Barcelona, particularly sporting director Deco, view him as a long‑term replacement for Robert Lewandowski and are said to be considering a transfer strategy similar to the one used to sign Raphinha from Leeds United. Reports suggest a potential fee of between £68 million and £85 million – almost double what Raphinha cost – but Chelsea have made clear they consider João Pedro a “crucial part of their project” and have no intention of selling. The club’s owners, BlueCo, are said to view losing him during the current challenging period as sending the “wrong message”, and have reportedly taken a €100 million stance against any offer. The forward’s existing contract, which runs until 2033, gives Chelsea strong leverage even as Barcelona circle.
McFarlane himself embodies the resilience he values in his striker. A “tactical obsessive” during earlier youth‑team roles at Manchester City and Southampton, and after assistant‑manager stints at non‑league Croydon and Whyteleafe, he stepped into the spotlight at Chelsea amid a season of upheaval. His ability to steady the ship – reaching an FA Cup final and extracting a full season’s worth of goals from his Brazilian No. 9 – underlines a partnership built on mutual trust and a shared refusal to be distracted by off‑pitch noise.
