Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler has conceded that filling the void left by Joao Pedro’s £60 million summer move to Chelsea is proving a difficult task. The Brazilian forward scored 30 goals in 70 appearances for the Seagulls before joining Enzo Maresca’s Blues, where he has already made a blistering start with five goals and three assists in nine games.
Ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge, Hürzeler was full of praise for his former star but admitted the challenge of replacing him is ongoing.
“Joao is a special player, he proved it already at Chelsea,” Hürzeler told reporters. “He’s a game-changer for them. We have to defend him as a team, defend him as a unit, and then I’m sure we are capable of doing that.”
Hurzeler: “It’s not easy to replace him”
Hürzeler acknowledged that Pedro’s departure left a gap that cannot be filled overnight, particularly with young replacements still adjusting to life in England.
“It’s not easy to replace him one to one. Of course there is always a process. New players have to step in, new young players of big potential have to step in. They have to prove themselves every weekend that they are ready for that but that needs time.” — Fabian Hürzeler
Greek teenagers Charalampos Kostoulas and Stefanos Tzimas are among those being tasked with stepping up, but the Brighton coach has urged patience as they adapt to the Premier League.
Brighton’s form without Pedro
Despite the challenge, Brighton have shown flashes of promise this season. They have collected five points from their opening five league matches, including a spirited 2-2 draw with Tottenham, and thrashed Barnsley 6-0 in the Carabao Cup.
However, with Pedro already thriving in London, comparisons are inevitable. Brighton fans will hope their new forwards develop quickly enough to ease the sense of loss.
Joao Pedro stats 2025/26 (Chelsea)
| Stat (2025/26) | Joao Pedro |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 9 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Goal Involvements | 8 |
source: Premier League stats – 25 September 2025
Pedro’s output underlines why Chelsea were willing to invest heavily. His ability to combine finishing with link-up play has made him one of the most dangerous forwards in the league this term.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William says Brighton’s biggest challenge is not tactical but psychological:
“Replacing a player like Joao Pedro is about more than numbers. Brighton have lost their game-changer, and the new recruits will need time to adapt. The danger is expecting Kostoulas or Tzimas to fill his boots immediately. Hürzeler is right to temper expectations — this is a process.”
He added: “For Chelsea, Pedro is showing exactly why £60m was a fair price. His form makes this weekend’s clash a fascinating narrative: can Brighton stop the man who once wore their colours?”
Key Insights
- Joao Pedro scored 30 goals in 70 Brighton appearances before his £60m Chelsea move.
- Already has 5 goals and 3 assists in 9 matches under Maresca.
- Hürzeler admits replacing him “is not easy” and says new players need time.
- Greek teenagers Kostoulas and Tzimas are being groomed as long-term solutions.
- Brighton have 5 points from 5 games, plus a 6-0 Carabao Cup win over Barnsley.
What’s Next for Brighton and Chelsea?
Chelsea host Brighton at Stamford Bridge this weekend, with Pedro likely to face his former club for the first time since the big-money transfer. For Brighton, the fixture represents both a test of progress and a reminder of what they lost.
Long-term, Hürzeler’s task will be to nurture Kostoulas and Tzimas into Premier League-ready strikers. Short-term, Brighton must rely on their collective structure to compete while their young forwards develop.
👉 Should Brighton have done more to keep Joao Pedro, or was selling him to Chelsea for £60m the right long-term decision?
Read also our Chelsea vs Brighton prediction and more
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