Underappreciated Chelsea Winger Pedro Aiming For More European Glory

Pedro scored in Chelsea's Europa League Final Win Over Arsenal
14:26, 14 Aug 2019

For all of his trophies and success in his glittering career, 32-year-old Pedro has never been universally acknowledged for his achievements. 

Tonight, if Chelsea can get their hands on the UEFA Super Cup for the second time, the tricky Spaniard will draw level with Dani Alves and Paulo Maldini with four Super Cup wins - nobody has won more.

Frank Lampard’s men face a tough task to get the better of Liverpool in Istanbul but the new boss will stick by his principles that saw his team exposed defensively at Old Trafford on the opening weekend. His side featuring young players such as Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount may be shaken up with a little more experience with Europa League star Olivier Giroud waiting in the wings.

Pedro was the most experienced player in that side that lost to Manchester United and certainly the most decorated player on the pitch. His trophy cabinet is bulging with the weight of everything he has won during an incredibly successful career, including the World Cup and European Championship for his country.

In club football, he has won seven league titles - five of those coming at Barcelona - four domestic cup competitions including the FA Cup with Chelsea in 2018 and four Supercopa de Espana’s. Perhaps it is Pedro’s European achievements that need deserve more time in the spotlight.

Three Champions League successes alongside Lionel Messi, one Europa League with Chelsea and three UEFA Super Cups is one hell of an achievement. For the majority of these successes, Pedro has been a key figure in the attack, even making it into the Europa League squad of the season last season after an impressive display in the final.

He has always been relied upon by former managers and if Pep Guardiola trusted him enough to play in that great Barcelona side, he must have been doing something right. Four Super Cups may give him even more credit and Lampard is yet another manager who has shown faith in the Spaniard, starting him as part of an exciting attacking quartet.

If the experienced winger can add leadership to his game, he could become a vital part of a Lampard side who have low expectations this season. Tonight’s game is another shot at a trophy and with Liverpool heavy favourites Chelsea face little pressure. 

Pedro has had a brilliant, trophy-laden career but has never been considered world-class wherever he has played. Despite coming towards the end of his career, Lampard can still rely on the Spaniard to produce and with five goals in Europe last season, the continental competitions seems to be where he produces his best football.

Don’t rule out Pedro becoming Chelsea’s unlikely match-winner tonight.

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