Former France international Emmanuel Petit has suggested that Chelsea’s notorious “striker curse” may already be affecting Joao Pedro, following a noticeable dip in the Brazilian forward’s form.

Pedro joined Chelsea from Brighton during the summer transfer window and started brightly, delivering impressive performances during the Club World Cup and in early-season fixtures. However, Petit believes the 23-year-old’s impact has gradually faded.

Speaking to Snabbre, Petit said:

“The striker curse might have got to Joao Pedro at Chelsea.
It is weird. Honestly, I was very impressed with him when he started at the Club World Cup, and then he did it again when he came back during the summer.
But week after week, he has been dropping off.”

Chelsea’s struggles with strikers have been well-documented over the years, with big names such as Fernando Torres, Alvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuaín, Romelu Lukaku, and Timo Werner all failing to consistently deliver the expected firepower at Stamford Bridge.

Fans now fear Joao Pedro may be the latest forward to fall victim to that pattern.

Opinion: Pedro’s Dip Is Worrying — but Not a Curse Just Yet

While Emmanuel Petit’s comments tap into a long-standing Chelsea narrative, it may still be too early to declare Joao Pedro the next victim of the so-called “curse.”

Pedro’s drop in form is evident — the explosive, confident attacker seen at Brighton and early in preseason has been replaced by a player struggling to find rhythm. But several factors may be contributing:

Chelsea’s attacking inconsistency makes life difficult for any forward trying to settle in.
Constant tactical adjustments under the club’s evolving project can disrupt momentum.
High expectations placed on new signings often create pressure that younger players need time to adapt to.

Calling it a “curse” may be exaggerated, but the pattern is undeniable: Chelsea has not managed to consistently integrate a top-performing striker for almost a decade.

However, Joao Pedro is still young, technically gifted, and versatile. What he needs now is:

Confidence
Stability
A clearer attacking structure
A run of games in his best position

If Chelsea provide the right environment, he has the talent to break the cycle.

But if the club continues to struggle with identity and creativity, Pedro could indeed slide into the long list of talented forwards who never fully bloomed at Stamford Bridge.

For now, it’s a warning sign — not a verdict.