Thread by @NewsJeffJ1

João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus

JP solves one of Chelsea's biggest problems ~ low blocks!

The one who Chelsea will improve, and vice versa!

Thread!

Joao Pedro is a generalist with specialist traits where it hurts. He’s a player that always seeks to achieve ‘balance’ and his football IQ is a testament to that matched by his physical/technical gifts.

In this thread I discuss why he solves a massive issue for Chelsea: low blocks. This is not a scouting report, so will only highlight some of his key qualities that pertain to the topic at hand.

First of all there needs to be a fundamental shift in his thinking. Remember he's a balanced thinker who likes to make the best decisions. This is good but it means plays like what we see below happens.

https://x.com/CFCNewsJJ/status/1946772090733875326/video/1

I think the general message to JP as a player should be goals. Even when he has a picture in his head, if there is just as good a chance of him getting off a good shot if he simply forces the situation a little, he should be encouraged to take it. The quality is there.

Last season he averaged 1.7 shots per game which is poor for a ST/SS profile and this was one of the biggest reasons why imo.

Link up Play / Dictating : Link play is essentially a player serving as the reference in which the team can move the ball through. It's not just on the ball, it's off it as well.

JP is one of the best 9s at linking play. Understands how to go from 0 to 100 or slowly dropping to bait DF without them noticing, good shielding technique to turn, clean first touch, consistently sees the whole pitch and can also link up without the ball ~ knows what spaces to take to create better conditions for others.

pic.x.com/s1dksuz5xz

Hold up / Back2goal

Can struggle against physically strong CBs, but understands how to unsettle with slight pushes/nudges to create 50/50’s. Good leap/heading and 6ft so often challenges for aerial balls.

Good shielding technique and hard to get ball from him when he’s in front ~ means he’s often good with ball played in the channel / to a chest height ~ elite hold up play in stationary situations. Press resistance to maintain the ball and often make the right pass after bringing it down. Can be used as a pillar in build-up/higher up the field.

pic.x.com/brln6w5pln
pic.x.com/lz8hoohpqf

Box movement

One of the best at staying on his toes and repositioning in the box. The moment chaos descends in the box you want JP on your side. Excellent at moving in relation to what teammate can see, which often makes him an accessible option. Possesses stealer legs.

Emphasis on arriving into space as he often lacks the strength to beat CBs under contact in the box. Lacks deceit/fakes/feints with his movement ~ often uses the blindside and speeds towards the intended direction.

pic.x.com/gslwegg8xn

Aerial Prowess

JP is aerially elite in the box. There is a precision/intent with how he attacks crosses, no angle bias with his headers ~ generates power from all types of crosses and possess incredible control. A massively underutilized quality at Brighton imo. This is a player that should be getting at least 7 goals a season aerially.

Chelsea struggled against teams that set up in a back 5 against us last season. It was due to a multiple of factors like our wingers sometimes struggling against aggressive FBs back2goal, lack of a box ST who can handle contact and finish off actions / the box movement to generate chances in these situations, poor finishing capacities, lack of aerial prowess, lack of dribblers, etc.

To discuss how JP is useful against these teams, lets first talk about how we set up.

Chelsea often set up in the 3-1-6 against back5s, but we’ve recently seen a more dynamic iteration of this setup with one of the 8s allowed to drop into the pivot, etc.

It's important to understand that JP is not the best at occupying CBs against low blocks~ struggles to bully CBs in these scenarios + lacks the deceit to 'consistently' create spaces(movement can create spaces for others though). The best profile at doing this is Delap, but remember what I said JP was really good at in regards to his box movement? Arriving into spaces. The SS

Note - Dont take this as JP being useless as the ST against low blocks. Body orientation, stays on his toes, aerial threat, understands to drop and arrive, in between CBs all good + potential there to develop this area of his game.

In the video you can see how he matches the rhythm of the ball holder with his run while slowly sneaking into the blindside, knows when to wait and springs into action once pass is made to Minteh. A 1st time pass and its a tap in.

Once again you can see how smart JP is when exploiting the spaces others create with their runs. Notice how inch-perfect he times when to stop (the moment Mitoma scans). A simple pass and its a first time finish (has the technique to execute)

JP is one of the best players at attacking during these situations. If PL teams continue pushing their defensive line at the edge of the box like we saw last season, JP could potentially be one of the most dangerous players attacking half space crosses. Good movement even when leading the last line, but even more dangerous when he can take advantage of the spaces created by someone in front of him.

Against low blocks JP struggles with getting off shots in crowded situations. Often gets blocked or lacks the quick close control/release needed to in these scenarios. This means he requires more 1st time finishes (headers/direct shots) against these types of opposition and these scenarios are most possible when arriving into spaces (SS)

JP is a top associative player that is able to generate advantages in the tightest of spaces. As the ST against low blocks, you lose this aspect of his game as he would often be more focused on pinning/runs.

Delap/JP should be a nice combo against blocks

JP also possesses the quality to receive the ball in tight spaces, manipulate angles and create. While I think more emphasis should be placed on playing off the ST with runs/give and go's, he can slip in Delap/Palmer/Enzo when they run in behind as well

Gittens playing on the left is key because JP does not need to focus on support as much because Gittens is a dribbler who can handle 2/3 v 1s. This allows JP to focus on exploiting spaces and scoring goals.

The balance a Delap/JP/Enzo/Palmer forms is top as well.

As the 9 Joao Pedro is a hybrid between Nico/Delap

More pass-first compared to Jackson yet can carry, highest IQ out of all our STs, balanced between dropping/running in behind, can fight for long balls through the channels/aerially, etc.

He's an option at ST against highlines / mid-blocks and can fulfill multiple different roles.

Enhancer ~ Can play all 5 attacking lanes, enhance the qualities of those around him due to associative/passing capability but not as good in iso situations as a Nico.

False 9 ~ One of the best false 9s in the world. IQ is off the charts, top short/medium/long passer and arrives into space well. Just needs the right profiles around him.

Also he wins pens. Chelsea lacked this last season!

https://x.com/CFCNewsJJ/status/1946771997389672628/video/1

Generally JP is a really good player that will help us in many ways.

He's never scored 10 non-pen goals in the PL. I believe Chelsea can help him reach 16+ non pen goals if we platform him correctly game by game. He's due for an explosion!