10 hours ago
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Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink reckons the Blues secured excellent value with several of their summer acquisitions – particularly when compared to what their competitors splashed out on new signings.
Joao Pedro has arrived to spearhead the attack and swiftly made his mark at the FIFA Club World Cup. The Brazilian can operate up front but also in a deeper position, and cost the west London outfit £60million when he made the switch from Brighton.
He's made an encouraging start to the campaign, finding the net twice, and Hasselbaink has highlighted how the Chelsea newcomer cost less than half the British record transfer fee of £125m that Liverpool were forced to pay Newcastle for Alexander Isak.
When questioned whether he felt Chelsea struck a shrewd deal for Pedro given Liverpool's outlay for Isak, Hasselbaink told Betway : "I think so, yeah, but they are totally different players. Joao Pedro is more like a 10. He can play as a 9, but he's more like a 10.
"So, he can do a job as No. 9 and we have seen that, but Isak is a totally different player. Pedro has come in and it's not fazed him. He settled in really quickly. He's scored really important goals. When strikers score in those 1-0 or 2-1 games, those kinds of goals are big moments for strikers. If he keeps on doing that then his future is going to be really bright."
Alejandro Garnacho was another player snapped up by Chelsea late in the transfer window. His departure from Manchester United had long been anticipated and he ultimately chose to make the switch to Stamford Bridge, with the west London outfit paying £40m for his services.
Hasselbaink has once more drawn comparisons between the Blues' latest signing and other Premier League transfers – also highlighting the £55m Newcastle were forced to fork out for Antony Elanga – and maintains they have secured excellent value.
"They wanted four wingers and he is the fourth one coming in," he said. "He's exciting, and has got lots of Premier League experience. He's direct and quick, he scores goals and also provides assists. He's got lots of games in the Premier League, and they only paid £40million for him.
"If you look at Elanga or Isak and a lot of other players, the big money that they have gone for, Chelsea have done some really great business for Garnacho."
Enzo Maresca persisted with substantial investment in his squad as he looked to build upon last campaign's achievements. Alongside Pedro and Garnacho, Chelsea brought in Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens.
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