Joao Pedro Scores in Chelsea Debut, Challenges Club's Number Nine Curse
· Sports · BBC Sport
Joao Pedro scored within 31 seconds of his debut for Chelsea, wearing the number nine shirt, in a 3-2 win over Fulham. The Brazilian striker's performance comes amid a long-standing belief among fans that the number nine shirt is cursed, with no prolific striker succeeding in it since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in 2004. Pedro, who signed a new contract until 2034, dismissed the curse, stating he does not believe in such superstitions. Last season, he matched his shirt number by scoring 20 goals in all competitions, the first Chelsea striker to do so since Diego Costa in 2014-15.
Why it matters
Pedro's strong start could signal a turnaround for Chelsea's number nine shirt, which has been associated with underperformance for nearly two decades. His success is crucial for the club's attacking options and fan morale.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
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