João Pedro’s importance for Chelsea is obvious. The guy found the net 23 times in all competitions in his first 12 months at the club, with assists taking that tally of tangible goal contributions to 32. So far in 2026–27, it’s eight goals and assists in seven games.

Chelsea had already lost without scoring against Brentford last month when Pedro was missing for the London derby with a knee injury. So, when he was unexpectedly absent from Xabi Alonso’s teamsheet this past Saturday against Tottenham Hotspur, the Blues struggled again.

If anything, not playing serves to underline just how important Pedro is. It’s not that Chelsea don’t have another consistent goalscorer—Cole Palmer is the next most prolific since the start of last season on 15 goals across all competitions. It’s just that Pedro serves to knit everything together.

That is something Morgan Rogers struggled to do leading the line as a No. 9 against Tottenham , removed from his favored inside forward position on the left.…