Joao Pedro behaviour speaks volumes as Xabi Alonso unlocks Chelsea's very own Erling Haaland

· FootballLondon

Joao Pedro marked his long-awaited return to action with two brilliant goals in front of the Matthew Harding Stand on Saturday afternoon.

Joao Pedro took a leaf out of Erling Haaland's book during Chelsea's emphatic 5-1 win over Bournemouth. The 25-year-old striker fired the Blues to victory at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, finding the net with each of his two touches in the opposition box.

He opened his account immediately after the break, smashing the ball into the roof of the net following an excellent cut-back from Pedro Neto. A quarter of an hour or so after Evanilson pulled one back to reduce the deficit, Pedro restored Chelsea's three-goal lead, latching onto a sweeping cross from Pep Chavarria.

The Brazil international peeled off Antonio Silva and guided the ball into the nearside top corner, marking his long-awaited return to action with a brace. Until the second half got underway, Pedro hadn't had a sniff, let alone a touch of the ball inside the opposition box.

But, rather than dropping deep and selfishly congesting the build-up phase, he held his nerve and remained patient, occupying the centre-halves, running the channels, knitting sequences of play, and relieving pressure with his textbook hold-up work. Pedro bided his time and simply waited for his moment to strike.

The Brazilian usually relishes the chance to come short and receive the ball at his feet, but, on this occasion, he was better utilised as a focal point who could pin back the Cherries' defence. As visualised in the graphic below, Pedro had 25 touches in 74 minutes, many of which were in the middle third.

Despite the risk of results-based analysis – where on another day, if the Blues hadn't walked away with three points, either he or his teammates would've been criticised for providing a lack of quality or service in the final third – Pedro showcased his world-class quality.

Alonso relied on the Brazilian to deliver when called upon, and he did exactly that, as he has done ever since joining Chelsea from Brighton last year. As shown in the graphic below, Pedro has recorded the third-fewest touches per goal in the Premier League this season among players who have scored at least 3 goals.

At Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, the Blues talisman averaged just 12.5 touches per goal. Not only did Pedro manage to make up ground on Erling Haaland in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot, but he also displayed a new side to his game: remaining patient and composed, leaving no room for error despite little service.

Interestingly, the Chelsea striker now averages a marginally better minutes per goal and conversion rate than the Manchester City striker. During the summer, Pedro offered a glimpse into life under Alonso, which perhaps explains how he has since reached a new level.

Speaking to Paramount+ Australia after scoring a hat-trick in a 6-4 friendly win over Western Sydney Wanderers, the Brazilian said: "He’s a very open coach. We talk a lot.

> "I feel free when I play in front, I move a lot. So he gives that option for me, sometimes I play on the left, sometimes in the middle. So that’s what I learned with him..."

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