Joao Pedro has been tipped to join Barcelona or Real Madrid just days after he completed a €63.7 million move to Chelsea.
The Brazil international, 23, was widely tipped to join Newcastle United following a supremely impressive two-year spell at Brighton, however Chelsea hijacked the deal and the transfer was officially confirmed on 2 July.
The 23-year-old is also capable of operating in a number of different attacking roles and his versatility is reportedly a key reason why Chelsea opted to make him their 11th-most expensive signing of all time.
However, Troy Deeney believes his former Watford team-mate could be set to leave Chelsea for Barcelona or Real Madrid if he is given a consistent run of games at Stamford Bridge.
Joao Pedro to join Barcelona or Real Madrid?
Speaking to talkSPORT, Deeney admitted: “Joao brings an intensity – he is obviously an exceptional football player.
“The social media clips Chelsea have put out in training show him throwing his weight around already.”
Deeney added: “He’s all or nothing. I think the misconception of him is that he’s a troublemaker. He’s absolutely not that at all. He’s passionate, energetic and he wants to win. He wants to play every minute of every game.
“But I think at Chelsea now you’re going to see the real Joao Pedro, one that enjoys competition and one that believes he should be starting for Brazil.
“I’ve seen this player since he was 18 years old and the mentality has not changed one bit,” Deeney continued.
“It’s always been, ‘I want to be the best and I want to be the new R9’. Whether he can be that is for everyone to decide. In the short term, it’s all about how he gets there. He’s only 23 years of age.”
Deeney concluded: “I’m sure the eight-year contract is more for Chelsea spreading it out over PSR but if he does well for two years there, Real Madrid and Barcelona will come knocking and Chelsea are a model for buying young and potentially selling on for a lot more than they paid.”
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