Andy Townsend explains the difference between Joao Pedro and Nicolas Jackson
Enzo Maresca heads into the 2025-26 season with a plethora of attacking options at his disposal.
Unlike the recently concluded season, where the Blues were solely relying on Nicolas Jackson up front, Maresca will now have the opportunity to call on the likes of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Nicolas Jackson in the upcoming season.
Pedro has already made an instant impact in a Chelsea shirt, scoring 3 goals in 3 Club World Cup games and leading the Blues to glory.
Paris Saint-Germain star Marquinhos has earmarked Pedro as a potential threat before the final, and Pedro made his presence felt by scoring Chelsea’s third goal on Sunday.
Marquinohos is not the only one who has been impressed with Pedro’s displays on the field, as former Chelsea midfielder Andy Townsend has also been raving about the player.
Townsend took time out to praise Pedro’s performances and highlighted what sets him apart from his counterpart, Nicolas Jackson.
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Andy Townsend claims Chelsea players trust Joao Pedro
Andy Townsend has been extremely impressed with the impact that Pedro has made since arriving at Chelsea. While he thinks Jackson still has a future in West London, the 61-year-old has suggested that his teammates trust Pedro more than him.
Speaking about the two on talkSPORT following Chelsea’s Club World Cup final success, Townsend said: “Joao Pedro! What a difference it makes to a team when you’ve got a No.9 that players can trust and can link with.”
“Look, Nicolas Jackson will no doubt go on to still have a decent time at Chelsea, but I tell you now, all of a sudden they look a different proposition with someone like him leading the line.”
Jackson will be the first one to admit that he let his teammates down not only with his performances but also with his discipline last season.
The Senegal international was sent off in the group stage of the Club World Cup and also picked up a red card towards the end of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
While Townsend thinks he still has a part to play at Chelsea, Jackson could be forced to leave if the former Villarreal man wants guaranteed minutes. Right now, he is behind Pedro and Delap in the pecking order.