Troy Deeney has warned Chelsea that new signing Joao Pedro could soon be a target for Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The Brazil international completed his £60million switch to Stamford Bridge this week after a successful two-year stint at Brighton.
Pedro has been thrown straight into the thick of the action having joined his new teammates in the United States ahead of their Club World Cup quarter-final clash with Palmeiras in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The 23-year-old who netted 30 goals in 70 appearances for the Seagulls, began his career in English football with Watford after arriving from Fluminense in 2020, aged 18.
And it was there that former Watford striker Deeney got a first-hand look at the youngster.
Deeney admits that since they crossed paths at Vicarage Road, Pedro has continued to display the attributes that impressed him upon his first encounter with the Brazilian in training.
“Joao brings an intensity – he is obviously an exceptional football player,” Deeney told talkSPORT.
“The social media clips Chelsea have put out in training show him throwing his weight around already.
“He’s all or nothing,” he added. “I think the misconception of him is that he’s a troublemaker. He’s absolutely not that at all.
“He’s passionate, energetic and he wants to win. He wants to play every minute of every game.
“But I think at Chelsea now you’re going to see the real Joao Pedro, one that enjoys competition and one that believes he should be starting for Brazil.”
Deeney continued: “I’ve seen this player since he was 18 years old and the mentality has not changed one bit.
The striker started his career in England alongside Troy Deeney at WatfordGetty Chelsea have shown off the star’s array of skills in a series of social media clips since his arrivalChelsea“It’s always been, ‘I want to be the best and I want to be the new R9’.
“Whether he can be that is for everyone to decide. In the short term, it’s all about how he gets there. He’s only 23 years of age.
“I think the business Chelsea have done this summer has been exceptional so far.”
Pedro has the unique opportunity to quickly etch himself into Chelsea history by leading the Blues to Club World Cup glory.
A victory over Palmeiras would see Chelsea into the semi-final where they would face either Al-Hilal or Pedro’s former side Fluminense.
Success in the competition, coupled with a good run in the Premier League and Champions League next season, could provide the striker with the push needed to add to his three Brazil caps and cement himself as his country’s first-choice striker.
The 23-year-old netted 30 time in two years for the SeagullsGetty Deeney has tipped the Brazilian to go to the very top of the gametalkSPORTHowever, Deeney has warned Chelsea that, should Pedro continue to blossom at the highest level, his time in west London could be short lived.
“If Chelsea start competing in the Champions League and Premier League he’ll be part of that vehicle,” said the former striker.
“If they go on to win the Club World Cup they’ll argue he’s had a little push in that as well.
“When you look at the Brazilian national team, it’s not as strong as the teams we’ve seen over the years. I think he’ll look at it and say I can do that [become first-choice striker].
“I’m sure the eight-year contract is more for Chelsea spreading it out over PSR but if he does well for two years there, Real Madrid and Barcelona will come knocking and Chelsea are a model for buying young and potentially selling on for a lot more than they paid.”
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