MEGA THREAD - Why Joao Pedro is the PERFECT fit for Newcastle United. Looking at where he will play, pressing and intensity stats, scoring stats, attitude etc! #nufc #nufcfans

There is a lot of questions about whether he would suit Newcastle’s intensity… BUT Brighton actually press more than Newcastle and rank top 16% for pressing vs Top 7 leagues whereas the Toon rank top 18%. Also if you look at defending Newcastle and Brighton rank near enough the same. Brighton even rank higher for physicality lol. Pedro won’t have to adapt much to Eddie Howe’s out of possession style.

In terms of Ariel duels, ground duels won and times dribbled past … Joao Pedro is better than the starting Newcastle frontline BY FAR. This is a guy who can trigger a press and win the ball back more often per 90 minutes than Gordon, Isak etc… incredible!

So, where will he play? I think the fact he already plays in the 10 position for Brighton means he can operate as 1 of the 3 in midfield which means Joelinton would be dropped.. Tonali x Bruno is enough in there with Joao. However he can operate LW.. has done 39 times in his career but he won’t be a proper touchline winger that Howe likes. In any case ensure he can be as central as possible. On paper position doesn’t really matter.. just allow him inside!

I genuinely think Pedro coming will bring the best out of Bruno G. Looking at this image Bruno is far too high up the pitch… yes he can be good in those zones but it means his Deep creation is missed. By adding Pedro who is used to these pockets to the team it allows Bruno to be deeper and control the middle… Newcastle instantly become much better.

Joao Pedro is also a BIG GAME player… he scores in big moments too as this graphic shows.

Everyone calls him a ‘penalty merchant’ but he has actually won 9 penalties in his Brighton career and scored 18. A player who can win penalties is key- shows how good and manipulative on the ball he is in those tight spaces. Look at him juggling the ball here- so assured and skilled. You can see why he wins pens.

He takes so much care in his actions too. The way he opens his body up for the pass is something very few players can do. Very dangerous and fluid player from those middle spaces/off the striker zones. Imagine the linkup with Gordon/Barnes and Isak!!

Joao Pedro has that skill to create separation and have a short back lift when he shoots. This means he can take a high volume of shots which is key for beating low blocks. He is a snappy shooter and an accurate shooter too. He is one of the best finishers in Europe- top 5% shot conversion rate!

Obviously, he isn’t a perfect 10/10 player otherwise he’d be playing for Madrid week in and out. Probably needs to improve on when to accelerate the game and when to slow it down (pausa) in counter attacking situations especially. Also can be pushed out of games at times if he is stuck to a certain zone but all of which can be improved.

Want to end on talking about his discipline using an analogy. He is the ‘problem child’ but the type of problem every club needs because it challenges others to see themselves . His mentality is really good and He normally uses his emotional nature on the pitch in a positive light but needs a bit of direction and nudges to stay focused. Eddie Howe is a perfect people’s manager so i think he’ll help Joao.

Hope you have Enjoyed this thread on Joao Pedro… easy to forget but he is still only 23… he has a lot of time and the current ability he has suggests he’ll be TOP #nufc !