Pedro closing in on a move to Roma
According to the Athletic, Spanish winger Pedro has refused to play for Chelsea again this season as he nears a move to Roma.
The 32-year-old’s contract expires at the end of this month. It was expected that he would sign a short-term extension that would see him finish the season at Stamford Bridge. That has now been proved wrong.
The news comes following him coming to terms with Italian giants Roma. The deal will see him earn £56,000-a-week amounting to £2.9million per year. (h/t Athletic)
It was an open secret that Pedro would leave the club at the end of the season. But his unwillingness to finish it with us will offer Frank Lampard lesser options to choose from this season.
Chelsea may have signed Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech. However, we still have to negotiate the remaining fixtures of the current campaign without them.
Three clear of our rivals in the top-four race, there is a possibility that we could drop out of the top four. The Blues have a tough run-in. We not only face the top three teams but also two of our rivals for the fourth spot.
The clashes against West Ham, Norwich City and Watford will not be easy as well. The trio are in the thick of the relegation scrap and will fight tooth and nail to beat us.
When you consider that our easiest game in comparison is against Crystal Palace, a sense of what is to come dawns.
With the deadline for the completion of temporary deals approaching, the loss of Pedro is a blow. Add Willian to the list and suddenly the task at hand becomes clearer.
It will take a massive u-turn from the player now to commit his immediate future to us. Given his injury troubles, one can however understand why he is reluctant to risk his fitness to see the season out.
The 32-year-old has been a loyal player for us and has scored some crucial goals. Although fans may be aggrieved by the decision, we do owe it to him to choose what is best for himself, especially after all he has done for us.
Hopefully, we will pull through and make it to the Champions League next season.
More Chelsea News
- Manchester United keen on signing Willian
- Chelsea interested in Manchester United loanee Dean Henderson
- Leicester City leading the race for Said Benrahma
The Spaniard has made 201 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 43 goals and 28 assists. (h/t Transfermarkt)