Thibaut
Courtois has suggested that Pedro's arrival at Chelsea from Barcelona
means that Eden Hazard will have more freedom to exploit defences.
Hazard,
who terrorised defences last season on his way to lifting the Premier
League trophy and PFA Players' Player of the Year award, is perfectly
complimented by the similarly formidable attacking threat of Pedro,
according to Courtois.
The
Belgian goalkeeper's theory is based on the premise that the multiple
defenders assigned to nullify the threat of Hazard will now also have to
be wary of Pedro, and consequently Hazard will have more space to
unlock his opponents' backlines.
Thibaut Courtois says Pedro's arrival from Barcelona means that Eden Hazard will have more freedom
Courtois has said on Pedro: 'Defenders now have to think more about where and who they are going to press'
Talking to Evening Standard,
Courtois said: 'Now we have Pedro, the defenders can't just stay with
Eden because they will know the other side is free for him to exploit,
as well as for players like Willian and our top strikers, too.
'So
Pedro’s arrival is good for us because defenders will now have to think
more about where and who they are going to press. That should mean
there will always be a man free on the other side.'
The
23-year-stopper also touched on Chelsea captain John Terry, who has made
an unsure start to the campaign after making the PFA Team of the Year
last season.
Terry
was sensationally substituted at half-time in Chelsea's 3-0 away loss
to Manchester City - for the first time in 177 league starts under Jose
Mourinho's management - and was red carded against West Bromwich Albion
as Chelsea won 3-2 at the Hawthornes on Sunday.
John Terry has made an unsure start to the season after making the PFA Team of the Year last season
But
Courtois has backed the stalwart to come good again: 'John is still our
main man, our captain; he is still at a great level and he shows that
as well. There is no problem at all,' the former Atletico Madrid man
said.
'There
are things which have happened so far that have just been bad luck; for
example, the first goal in the 2-2 draw against Swansea. I made a good
save, John blocked the rebound really well but it went straight back to
Andre Ayew again to score.'
'He is really important in the dressing room and in the team. He is a very good captain and leads the team very well.'
But Courtois (left) has backed the stalwart to come good again: 'John is still our main man, our captain'
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