In his prime, Chelsea winger, Pedro Rodriguez was one of the best wide players in the world. Extremely fast, ambidextrous, creative and able to score consistently, he was part of the great Barcelona side that conquered European football under Pep Guardiola between 2009 and 2012.
The winger started showing signs of decline in his final two seasons at The Camp Nou, as he was regarded as an impact player from the bench. The likes of Alexis Sanchez and Neymar went ahead of him in the pecking order, and he subsequently joined Chelsea in the summer of 2015. His first season was disastrous on a collective level, as The Blues failed woefully under Jose Mourinho.
Pedro was more decisive in his second season, finding joy as a right winger in Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 system. He scored decisive goals for Chelsea against the likes of Bournemouth and Tottenham in Chelsea’s run to the title. He has struggled this year again, as Chelsea failed to make a successful title defence. His international career is suffering, as he failed to secure a spot in the Spain squad to the World Cup. Matched betting company Profit Accumulator report that Pedro missing the World Cup was also bad business for bettors, many of whom had already placed money on him to score a goal in the competition, as he was called up for the qualifiers but failed to make the final 23-man list to Russia.
At nearly 31, he is on the last legs of his career, and it is becoming increasingly clear that his future doesn’t lie at Stamford Bridge. Two seasons ago, he was in a direct competition with speedy Brazilian winger, Willian for the right wing position. He got the nod ahead of the former Shakhtar man as he offered more threat in an attacking role. Willian, however, this term has usurped him in the pecking order as he is in the form of his life.
With Conte expected to leave his position at Stamford Bridge before next season, Pedro may find the motivation to stay and fight for his place though he doesn’t look like the player he was.
By Mark Weasley. You can read the latest football news on his website.
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