Chelsea attacker Joao Pedro has expressed a desire to refine his playing style by emulating Manchester City marksman Erling Haaland. Pedro, who joined the Blues from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer, noted that while he has historically operated as a number 10, he is now aiming to become a more traditional, clinical striker.
Reflecting on his own tendencies, the 24-year-old acknowledged that he often moves frequently to ensure he remains involved in the play. However, he pointed to the efficiency of Haaland—who has scored over 330 times for club and country—as a model for improvement. Referencing a recent match where Haaland helped Norway defeat Brazil 2-1 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, Pedro stated, "He didn't touch the ball, but with two actions he killed the game. I think I can be a little bit more like that."
Haaland’s recent international form has been notable, with the 26-year-old netting seven times in five matches during the North American tournament. Over his four seasons at Manchester City, the Norwegian has accumulated more than 160 goals. Domestically, Haaland has maintained a strong record against Chelsea, recording four goals and two assists in nine appearances across all competitions. While he has been on the winning side in five of those meetings, he has also experienced three losses against the London club, all occurring in the Premier League. Most recently, Haaland provided an assist for Antoine Semenyo during City's 1-0 victory in the 2025-26 FA Cup final.
For his part, Pedro has been adjusting to life at Stamford Bridge, where he registered 20 goals in 50 appearances across all competitions during the 2025-26 campaign. His pre-season form also showed promise, highlighted by a hat-trick in Chelsea's 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
Sometimes I move a lot because if I don't touch the ball, I don't feel like I'm in the game.
