Newcastle have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Chelsea winger Pedro this summer on a free transfer as the Spaniard’s contract looks set to expire – but former Toon manager Ruud Gullit is not a fan.
The Chronicle have claimed that Newcastle could sign 32-year-old Pedro in the coming months. The player has not had his contract renewed at Chelsea and after five years with the Blues, the World Cup winner is likely to leave.
Linked with Xavi’s Al-Sadd, Pedro has now become an option for Newcastle and their prospective owners. The ex-Barcelona star is just another big name linked with The Toon, following the likes of Willian, Donny van de Beek and Dries Mertens.
Though a big, household name in terms of Premier League football, former Newcastle boss Gullit prefers Willian – claiming Pedro is not reliable, nor is he consistent enough back in 2018 on Match of the Day 2, as per Football London.
“I think Pedro his work ethic is there but I don’t think he’s reliable. He doesn’t do it every week. It’s true he is in and out of the team but it’s also down to him,” Gullit said. “He’s not consistent enough. They have other players such as Willian.”
TBR’s view – Is Gullit right, and should Newcastle look elsewhere?
Pedro is a proven Premier League talent. Even at 32, the former Champions League winner is a player that can still contribute to some of the Premier League’s top-six sides. At Newcastle, he would certainly start alongside the likes of Miguel Almiron.
But Gullit is somewhat right. Pedro is capable of dumbfounding defenders and producing goals and assists, but he does not do it on a regular basis. This season, Pedro has only scored two goals and laid on three assists in 18 outings.
A top signing on a free, but Newcastle fans cannot expect the world.
