New contract and new shirt
João Pedro, 24, signed a contract with Chelsea until 2034 and took the No. 9 shirt. The deal, announced on Saturday, followed the striker scoring 20 goals in his debut season, surpassing the previous contract that had been signed when he joined from Brighton a year ago and would run until 2032 with an option for an additional year.
Recognition of impact
"I always dreamed of playing for a big club, and it means a lot to me to give my long-term commitment to Chelsea," Pedro said. "The club has a tradition of winning and big ambitions for the future." The club recognized his impact by offering improved terms and naming him first-choice striker under new manager Xabi Alonso.
New attacking order
Pedro will be Alonso’s first choice for the season that starts with the match against Fulham on Monday. Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson have been made available for transfer, while Danny Welbeck, who joined the club in July from Brighton, may appear in future games.
History of the No. 9 shirt
The No. 9 shirt, now worn by João Pedro, has been used by 13 players who struggled to make a lasting impact. Among them are club-record signing Fernando Torres and Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz, known as the "curse of Khalid Boulahrouz." The number was also worn by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who had great success with the piece.
International context
Despite being Brazilian, João Pedro was surprisingly omitted from Brazil’s squad for this summer’s World Cup. The decision to exclude him from the call-up was unexpected, given his recent club performance.
Future prospects
With the contract extended until 2034, João Pedro now has the opportunity to cement his position as Chelsea’s main striker. The expectation is that he will continue to contribute goals and decisive performances while the club seeks to maintain competitiveness in the Premier League and European competitions.
