What’s Going On With João Pedro at Chelsea?

A big reason behind this sudden decline could be Chelsea’s own tactical setup. In recent matches, Enzo Maresca’s side have struggled to create fluid attacking patterns, with the build-up often looking predictable or too slow to catch defenses off guard. 

Pedro has been forced to drop deeper to link play, which takes him away from dangerous areas inside the box. When a striker spends too much time outside the penalty area, naturally, chances dry up.

There’s also the matter of fatigue. João Pedro has been playing heavy minutes since the start of the season, and reports suggest he’s been carrying minor knocks that could be affecting his sharpness.  Even subtle fatigue can make a striker hesitate a split second longer before shooting, or arrive just a moment too late in the box. Confidence dips soon follow, especially when goals cease to come.

Opposition managers have also caught on. Early in the season, many teams underestimated the threat Pedro posed. Now, defenders are doubling up on him, closing passing lanes, and physically engaging him to prevent him from turning or getting clean shots away. 

Teams have begun treating him as Chelsea’s main attacking danger, and that extra attention has limited his freedom in front of goal.

Another issue could be isolation. Pedro has often been deployed as a lone striker, and without a natural strike partner to occupy defenders or create space, he’s been left battling entire defensive lines by himself. 

Chelsea’s wide players haven’t consistently supported him either, and their fullbacks have been more conservative than usual. It’s a structural problem that even the most gifted forwards would find difficult to overcome.

Finally, there’s the psychological element. A forward thrives on rhythm, confidence, and repetition, when that flow breaks, it becomes harder to regain instinctive sharpness. Every miss feels heavier, every quiet game more frustrating. It’s possible João Pedro is overthinking moments that came naturally just a few weeks ago.

Can He Bounce Back?

Every striker goes through lean spells, even the best. What matters is how quickly they find their way back. For João Pedro, it starts with small tactical and mental adjustments. 

Staying closer to the penalty area, being more decisive with movement, and timing runs earlier could help him rediscover scoring positions. Sometimes it’s not about reinventing the role but returning to what worked initially, simple, confident positioning in dangerous spaces.

Chelsea also need to help him more. The midfield must look for forward passes sooner, and the wingers need to stretch defenses instead of cutting inside too early. Enzo Maresca’s system has shown promise, but when it becomes too possession-heavy, it isolates the striker. Quick transitions, through balls, and overlapping runs could bring Pedro back into the action.

If fatigue or minor injuries are part of the issue, rest will be crucial. There’s no shame in rotating a player who has carried much of the attacking burden early in the season. A short break could reset his energy levels and mindset.

Above all, patience will be key — from both the coaching staff and supporters. João Pedro is still young, learning to shoulder the pressure that comes with leading the line for one of England’s biggest clubs. The technical ability, intelligence, and composure he showed in his opening games haven’t vanished overnight. He’s simply navigating the adjustment period that every player experiences when defenses adapt to them.

Final Thoughts 

João Pedro’s goal drought has raised eyebrows, especially given how explosive his Chelsea start was. Five goals in six games felt like the beginning of something special, but football is rarely linear. Form fluctuates, roles evolve, and confidence ebbs and flows. Right now, the Brazilian forward finds himself in that frustrating middle ground, no longer riding the high of early success, yet far from a crisis.

Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures will reveal a lot about how quickly he can rediscover his edge. If he begins finding the target again, this dry spell will soon be forgotten as a brief learning curve.

 If not, the pressure will mount, and questions about his consistency will grow louder. For now, João Pedro remains a central piece in Maresca’s project — and with his talent and temperament, there’s every reason to believe this silence won’t last much longer.