João Pedro has officially stepped into one of the biggest responsibilities at Chelsea, and the Brazilian forward is making it clear that he is ready for the challenge. 🔵🔥
The 24-year-old has taken over the iconic No. 9 shirt for the 2026/27 campaign, a number traditionally reserved for the main striker. Chelsea have confirmed the switch after João Pedro’s outstanding first season at Stamford Bridge, where he finished as the club’s leading scorer with 20 goals in all competitions.
And João Pedro isn’t hiding from the pressure.
For him, wearing No. 9 is something every striker dreams about. He is excited by the responsibility and sees it as an opportunity to establish himself as Chelsea’s main attacking threat. 😮💨⚽
His preferred position? Right through the middle. 🎯
João Pedro has made it clear that although he possesses the technical ability to drift wide or drop into midfield, his natural instinct is to operate as a central striker. Chelsea have also previously highlighted how comfortable he has become in the No. 9 role.
And that could be especially exciting when you look at the players around him. 👀🔥
With Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers capable of operating behind him, João Pedro believes he doesn’t need to constantly drop deep to influence the game. Instead, his job becomes much simpler: stay dangerous, find the right spaces and attack the penalty area when the opportunities arrive. 🧠💥
Palmer and Rogers have already shown promising chemistry in Chelsea’s new-look attack, with the pair operating behind João Pedro during pre-season.
That setup could unleash a completely different version of the Brazilian.
Last season, João Pedro showed that he can score from almost anywhere. He produced spectacular finishes, scored a Premier League hat-trick against Aston Villa and even claimed Chelsea’s Goal of the Season award for his stunning bicycle kick against Nottingham Forest. 🤯🔥
Now imagine giving that player more freedom to stay closer to goal. 😳
More Palmer passes.
More Rogers creativity.
More João Pedro inside the box.
More goals. 🎯⚽💙
There is also an intriguing subplot surrounding the famous Chelsea No. 9 shirt. The number has carried enormous pressure at Stamford Bridge over the years, with several high-profile strikers struggling under its weight. João Pedro, however, appears completely comfortable embracing the expectation.
Chelsea have also rewarded his first season by extending his contract, keeping him tied to the club until 2034.
That tells you everything about how important he could become to the new Chelsea project under Xabi Alonso. 🔥
The message from João Pedro is simple: he wants to be the striker, he wants to stay dangerous and, when Palmer, Rogers or anyone else puts the ball in his path, he wants to do what every No. 9 is expected to do.
Put it in the net. 🥶🥅
The No. 9 shirt is officially his.
Now the goals have to follow. 👑🔵🔴
