Joao Pedro has transformed into the striker Chelsea desperately needed since Liam Rosenior took over as head coach. The 24-year-old Brazilian has scored seven goals in his last nine appearances, including his 11th Premier League goal of the season against Burnley. This represents a dramatic improvement from his earlier form, where he managed just eight goals in 30 appearances before Rosenior's arrival.

Rosenior has deployed Joao Pedro almost exclusively as a central striker, allowing him to focus on his primary strength: scoring goals. The tactical shift has paid immediate dividends, with Joao Pedro averaging 0.21 expected goals per shot compared to 0.12 at Brighton last season. He's also doubled his shot volume while spending more time in the opposition box rather than drifting wide or dropping deep.

His evolution is particularly evident in his finishing inside the six-yard box, where he's scored five goals this season - tied with Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the most in the Premier League. While still far from matching Diego Costa's 20-goal seasons at Stamford Bridge, Joao Pedro's current trajectory suggests he could surpass Nicolas Jackson's 14-goal tally from two seasons ago. His next test comes Sunday against Arsenal, where he'll again face William Saliba and Gabriel in what promises to be a crucial matchup for both title contenders.