Joao Pedro was Dream Team’s most transferred-out player ahead of Gameweek 22… now he’s the game’s top striker!

WHAT a roller coaster Dream Team managers have been on with Joao Pedro (£4m) in the last few days.

In Gameweek 21, Brighton’s No9 bagged an FA Cup hat-trick against Sheffield United and his greedy backers were hopeful of another significant haul against Luton in midweek.

However, the Hatters upset the Seagulls with an incredible 4-0 win and while Pedro mustered five points by way of compensation, things soured when he was forced off midway through the second half with an injury.

In his Friday press conference, Roberto De Zerbi told reporters that a late decision would be made on the Brazilian ahead of their next game against Crystal Palace but at that stage the Italian tactician didn’t seem all that hopeful.

As a result, Pedro was the most transferred-out player in all of Dream Team ahead of Gameweek 22, despite having bagged 29 points in Gameweek 21.

Imagine the reaction of the gaffers in question when the 22-year-old was subsequently named in the starting line-up against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Immediately it looked a match-up ripe for returns as the Eagles were without Eberechi Eze (£3.9m) and Michael Olise (£4.1m) in their starting XI.

And so it proved to be as Brighton swept aside their rivals with Pedro scoring the last goal in a 4-1 win.

Add in three bonus points and the ex-Watford banked 11 points in total to leapfrog Mohamed Salah (£6.7m) and become Dream Team’s outright best striker!

Pedro’s tally of 216 points is only bettered by Bukayo Saka (£5.5m) among all assets.

Evidently, his injury was no more than a minor concern easily traversed.

Pedro’s pinpoint strike against Palace was a decisive goal for another reason.

It was his 19th of the campaign in all competitions, drawing him level with Erling Haaland (£7.6m) among Premier League players.

MOST GOALS AMONG PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYERS THIS SEASON (ALL COMPS):

• 19 – Joao Pedro, Erling Haaland
• 18 – Mohamed Salah
• 15 – Dominic Solanke
• 14 – Jarrod Bowen, Alexander Isak
• 13 – Diogo Jota, Ollie Watkins, Julian Alvarez

It’s early days but Pedro is currently the third-most popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 23 and it’s probably fair to assume that includes plenty of gaffers who ditched him because of the injury scare.

Brighton face Tottenham, Sheffield United, Everton and Wolves before the end of the month.

De Zerbi’s side will also resume their Europa League campaign soon after in Gameweek 26.

Whatever happens from this point onwards, Pedro’s efforts this season will live long in the memory.

JOAO PEDRO’S 2023/24 STATS:

• 19 goals (=1st rank among forwards)
• 216 points (1st)
• 29 tackles (=3rd)
• 19 bonus points (=3rd)
• 8 big chances created (=4th)
• 22 shots on target (6th)
• 6.8 average points-per-game (=6th)
• 10.8% ownership (6th)

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk