Pedro
From TheChels.info - The Chelsea Football Club Wiki
| Pedro | |
| |
| Full Name | Pedro Eliezer Rodríguez Ledesma |
| Date of Birth | 28 July 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain |
| Position | Winger |
| Chelsea career | 2015 - 2020 |
| Debut | 23 August 2015 |
| Games (goals) | 206 (43) |
| Other clubs | Barcelona AS Roma Lazio |
Pedro Eliezer Rodríguez Ledesma, known as Pedro, is a Spanish international winger who spent five years at Chelsea, having signed from Barcelona in August 2015 on a four-year contract.
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Before Chelsea
Pedro came through the ranks at FC Barcelona, where he became known for his intelligent movement, speed, and ability to score in big matches. He made over 300 appearances, scored 99 goals, and won 20 major trophies, including 5 La Liga titles and 3 UEFA Champions League titles. Notably, he scored in the 2011 Champions League Final and remains the only player to have scored in the Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup and Club World Cup.
Chelsea career
2015-16 season
Pedro joined Chelsea from Barcelona in August 2015 for around £21 million. He made an immediate impact, scoring and assisting on his debut against West Bromwich Albion. However, Chelsea endured a turbulent season, with the reigning champions falling into mid-table form. Despite inconsistent performances from the team, Pedro managed 8 goals in all competitions, often showing flashes of pace, directness, and finishing. His first year in English football was a learning curve, marked by adaptation to the Premier League's physicality and a team in transition.
2016-17 season
Pedro flourished under Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 system, forming a potent front three with Eden Hazard and Diego Costa. His pressing, off-the-ball runs, and ability to strike from range made him one of the surprise performers of the season. He scored vital goals, including in matches against Tottenham, Everton, and Bournemouth, and added spectacular efforts to his highlight reel. Chelsea won the Premier League, with Pedro contributing significantly to their high-tempo style. It was arguably his most effective season in a Chelsea shirt.
2017-18 season
Pedro’s role slightly reduced with the arrival of new signings and increased rotation, but he remained a regular contributor. He played a key role in Chelsea’s domestic and European campaigns, scoring in the Community Shield and netting important goals in the Champions League group stage. His pace and work rate were consistently utilized by Conte. Although the team underwhelmed in the league (finishing 5th), Pedro won his first FA Cup with Chelsea, coming on as a substitute in the final victory over Manchester United.
2018-19 season
Pedro had a strong season under Sarri, thriving in the fast-passing, high-pressing system. He rotated with Willian on the right wing and was instrumental in Chelsea’s Europa League campaign, scoring 5 goals, including one in the final against Arsenal. He also reached double figures in goals for the second time with the club. Pedro brought vital experience to a squad in flux and consistently delivered in big games, cementing his reputation as a reliable and professional figure in the dressing room.
2019-20 season
In what would become his final season at Chelsea, Pedro saw reduced game time due to injuries, squad rotation, and the emergence of younger players like Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount. Despite that, he remained a valued squad member and featured occasionally in cup matches and late in the league campaign after Project Restart. His final Chelsea goal came in the Premier League against Everton. Pedro confirmed his departure at the end of the season and left on a free transfer to join AS Roma, closing his Chelsea chapter with dignity and gratitude from fans and teammates alike.
Statistics
- See also: List of Pedro goals
| Season | Prem | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| 2015-16 | 29 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 8 |
| 2016-17 | 35 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 13 |
| 2017-18 | 31 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 7 |
| 2018-19 | 31 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 13 |
| 2019-20 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 2 |
| Total | 137 | 29 | 22 | 6 | 14 | 2 | 30 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 206 | 43 |
- Correct as of the end of the 2019-20 season"
International
Pedro was included in Spain’s 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He made his international debut in a friendly against Saudi Arabia and scored his first international goal in a 6–0 win over Poland shortly before the tournament. During the World Cup, he played in five matches, starting in the semi-final against Germany and the final against the Netherlands, helping Spain win their first-ever World Cup.
At UEFA Euro 2012, Pedro did not feature in the group stage but appeared as a substitute in all the knockout matches, including the final where Spain defeated Italy 4–0 to retain their title. In 2012, he scored his first career hat-trick in a World Cup qualifier against Belarus. He was also part of the team that finished runners-up at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, scoring in a win over Uruguay.
Pedro was selected for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, though Spain were eliminated in the group stage. At Euro 2016 in France, he drew criticism for saying that playing as a substitute wasn’t “worth” his time. He was not selected for the 2018 World Cup, along with fellow Chelsea players Álvaro Morata, Cesc Fàbregas, and Marcos Alonso.
Honours
- Chelsea
- Premier League: 2016-17
- FA Cup: 2018
- UEFA Europa League: 2018-19
