Barcelona forward Pedro is finalizing his move to Chelsea. Everyone is expecting an official announcement out of Stamford Bridge soon; maybe tomorrow as the winger is currently in London, and undergo his Chelsea medical. After the Champions League win over Club Brugge, United reportedly lost their interest in Pedro and weren’t interested in meeting Barca’s asking price of £21 million.
Chelsea did, as phone calls from Jose Mourinho and Cesc Fabregas helped convince Pedro to join the Blues.
Now comes the question of how the Spain international, who scored 10 goals this season for the Catalan club this past season, fits in with his new clubs. There’s already been plenty of op-eds published out there that say he’s a great fit. Then you have the essays saying he doesn’t fit. All ends of the spectrum have been covered.
With Pedro falling down the pecking order after Luis Suarez’s arrival, it was expected that he would leave.
Of course, it’s still difficult how and where Pedro exactly fits at Chelsea. It doesn’t appear that he would have guaranteed first team football at Stamford Bridge. Who exactly does he displace and send to the bench? What Pedro moving to Chelsea does provide, certainly, is a chance for Mourinho to really showcase his managerial chops. Perhaps the Special One wants a new challenge for himself; showcasing his ability to reinvigorate a once star player’s career.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network.Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 The Zone.