Chelsea Secure Joao Pedro as Long-Term No 9
Chelsea are preparing to tie Joao Pedro to one of the longest contracts in the Premier League, underlining how quickly the Brazilian has become central to their plans at Stamford Bridge.
The club are set to renew the striker’s deal through to 2034 before the new league season kicks off. Inside Chelsea, there is confidence the agreement will be wrapped up in time, while those close to the 24-year-old say the full terms are already settled: a contract running to 2032, with the option for the club to extend it by a further two years.
Either way, Chelsea are committing to their new spearhead for the next decade.
From big fee to big return
Joao Pedro arrived from Brighton last summer for an initial £55m, with a further £5m in add-ons attached. It was a sizeable investment, but behind the scenes the verdict is clear: major success.
He has given Chelsea something they have been chasing for years – a reliable, penalty-free goal threat at centre-forward. Last season he became the first Chelsea striker since Diego Costa to hit 20 goals in a single campaign without relying on spot-kicks, a landmark that has reset expectations of what the club’s No 9 should deliver.
The goals have not been limited to domestic competition. Joao Pedro struck three times during Chelsea’s Club World Cup-winning campaign last summer, scoring on the global stage as the team lifted silverware.
And he has not eased off. Pre-season has only sharpened the sense that Chelsea are building around him: eight goals in seven friendly matches, form that makes his selection for the opening Premier League fixture feel automatic.
New season, new status
Joao Pedro is expected to lead the line when Chelsea travel to Fulham on Monday for their league opener. New arrivals Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha are set to provide cover and competition, but the hierarchy up front is already clear.
His rise has been recognised in the most symbolic way possible at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have handed him the number nine shirt, a jersey that has weighed heavily on several of his predecessors but now belongs to a forward the club believe can carry it.
Liam Delap has given up the number and is now on the market. Chelsea value the 21-year-old at around £50m, and he is drawing interest from Nottingham Forest and Leeds United as he looks for regular first-team football.
For Chelsea, the picture is different. They have their main striker, their new No 9, and soon, if all goes to plan, a contract that keeps Joao Pedro at the heart of the project until 2034.
