Chelsea forward Pedro could be forced out of Stamford Bridge if the club sign Nabil Fekir from Lyon.
According to El Gol, via Sport Witness, Pedro will look to force a move back to his native country if Fekir is brought in.
The report claims that Fekir has held talks with Chelsea over a move to the club and that Pedro will leave if the Frenchman joins.
Fekir scored 23 goals in 39 appearances for Lyon last season, whilst Pedro scored seven in 48 for Chelsea.
Pedro has been with Chelsea since 2015 and amassed 146 appearances for the club to date – scoring 32 goals.
He joined the club from Spanish giants Barcelona, where he scored 99 goals in 321 appearances – having come through the youth academy set up.
The report does not state whether or not Pedro would look to push through a move back to Barcelona, or to another Spanish outfit.
Chelsea: Mateo Kovacic needs to be made a lasting Blue at Stamford Bridge
In a footballing world where what happens on the pitch coincides with your contract situation, one player’s debacle stands out above most.
Unbeaten in the English Premier League and the only top-flight club in the whole of Europe to be unbeaten still. Maurizio Sarri’s work at Stamford Bridge has been adopted seamlessly and effortlessly by the players at his disposal.
If you’d think their start to life under the Italian would be where it is now, you’d be a big fat liar! Chelsea’s business during the summer was far from normal, and Mateo Kovacic is a prime example of it.
In the time of the summer window, there was no secret to Chelsea’s problems with ex-manager, Antonio Conte. The domino affect it had on everything happening at the club was absurd and looked as if it was going to cause many unwanted problems heading into the then, new campaign.
Eventually, after all the back and forth and drama between the club and the predecessor to Sarri, things started to fall into place. But it was a situation of… Better later than never. The club was on the brink of losing every player and almost had nobody new walking through the door.
Thankfully, things changed…
Sarri’s pull was strong enough to acquire the services of two outstanding players, and players with world-class potential. They signed a keeper in Kepa Arrizabalaga and midfielder, Jorginho. These two were the only permanent deals made by the Chelsea board.
Then came Chelsea’s third and final signing, Mateo Kovacic. Only difference, on a loan spell with no option to further extend on a full-time deal when the deal expires. WHAT! I know, right. Normally in a case of such a star and class player, the club does everything in their power to make sure they can keep a fan favourite if he exceeds expectation.
Nope, not for the playmaker midfielder.
So now the bigger question
Is he worth the fuss of getting a deal done? Or, are the Blues right and searching elsewhere for a more suitable player is the better option?
Well… He is most suitable!
Kovacic has been a well-knitted inclusion when tasked with a duty on the pitch. His most notable contribution was his involved in the Liverpool draw at Stamford Bridge. He played his part to the T.
This proves… In high-profile game he can be used as a starter or coming off the bench when needed to close up shop. A perfect replacement for Kante, or Jorginho, or anybody in the midfield region. He is more than deserving of a permanent deal. The only problem is £50 million pounds for a player who might not start frequently? Some would think this big fee in today’s market. I believe it’s a small price to pay considering Anthony Martial was that price at 18-years of age.
Real Madrid is a club hard to say no to but can get in the way of your progress if you fall out of favour. Chances of you falling out of favour? Pretty high, taking into account all the managerial changes they will go through more rapidly than other clubs.
A stay works best and Chelsea has the money as spare change. Times ticking with his contract almost up, they must start pushing for a new deal.