Pedro wants two-year deal, hopes Chelsea have a ‘change of heart’ — report

Under normal circumstances, veteran winger Pedro would be leaving Chelsea at the end of the season, with his contract expiring and giving him a graceful exit after five, largely successful and trophy-filled years at Stamford Bridge.

But we’re living under anything but normal circumstances, and it’s becoming increasingly apparent that many clubs, including those at the very top end of the game, will be approaching the transfer market with a completely different set of expectations and methods of conducting business.

One of those paradigm shifts is likely to be an increased emphasis on keeping players at their current clubs, handing out contract extensions that save on the club’s bottom line rather than spending extravagantly in the market.

At Chelsea specifically we’ve already seen that shift in the narrative around Olivier Giroud, who may or may not have already agreed to stay, and while Willian’s future remains uncertain, his chances of staying cannot be ruled out just yet either. In fact, in his case what seems to be preventing that outcome is his insistence on a three-year deal instead of taking the two-year offer from the Blues, even though the two-year offer already is an exception to normal club policy.

According to ESPN, fellow veteran Pedro’s hoping for a similar exception in these abnormal times. And unlike Willian, he’d apparently be quite willing to agree to a two-year extension.

Would that be a wise move from Chelsea for a player who’s turning 33 this summer and has barely played a bit-part role this season, outside of the last few weeks just before the stoppage of play due to the pandemic? Probably not. Certainly not under normal circumstances. But this summer ... no one really knows what to expect.