Joao Pedro faces Eddie Howe red card talks in big-money Brighton to Newcastle move
Eddie Howe is likely to hold talks with Joao Pedro over his disciplinary record if Newcastle sign the Brighton attacker this summer.
Speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track Podcast, former Tottenham and Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson admitted there may be some concerns about the Brazilian’s actions on the pitch.
The Magpies are looking to strengthen their squad in this summer’s transfer window, as they prepare for a return to the Champions League next season.
As they look to do that, it is understood that Newcastle are plotting a move to sign Pedro from Brighton, in what would represent a boost to their attacking options.
It would though, also ensure they would be bringing in a player who has attracted plenty of controversy over recent months.
Joao Pedro in the spotlight over discipline
Earlier this season, Pedro was fortunate not to be sent off for swinging an elbow at Brentford midfielder Yegor Yarmoliuk, with the fact he did not make contact seemingly saving the attacker a dismissal.
Shortly after that, the Brighton attacker was again slammed for intentionally colliding into Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton, again while managing to avoid a red card.
In the end, his only red card of the season came when Pedro was sent off for swinging an arm at Brentford centre-back Nathan Collins during a 4-2 defeat for his side.
Beyond that, there have also been suggestions that the attacker could find himself under scrutiny, after diving in games against Fulham and Man City in quick succession back in March.
Furthermore, he was left out his side’s final games of the season, following a training ground clash with Brighton teammate Jan Paul van Hecke.
Now, Robinson expects Howe to take action to prevent Pedro from continuing along those lines if he makes a move to Newcastle, in a deal he does not expect to be cheap.
“I don’t mind his attitude on the pitch. I think there’s, there’s a little bit of bite, there’s a little bit of spirit.” he told Football Insider’s Inside Track.
“I used to like playing with players like that, in a way that [Cristian] Romero brought that to the Tottenham side as well. I don’t want to take that out of a player. Yeah, there is a couple of concerns.
“Eddie Howe will probably have to discuss the red card situation and how he plays the game at certain times, but I don’t mind that in a play. And I think that at 23, he would be a great signing for them.
“I think they’ll struggle to get him out of Brighton without overpaying for him, 10 goals, six assists in the Premier League this year. I mean, Brighton paid, what, just just south of £30million for him?
“But we know we the model of Brighton, you know, it’s, it’s a club that will sell players. Managers will move on, the players will move on if the price is right.
“I mean, he’s contracted until 2028, so it’s not going to be a cheap deal to do, but for Newcastle, he’s a player that would perfectly fit the bill.”
Newcastle United to be wary over Brighton transfer
After so many well-publicised incidents last season, referees and VAR are going to be watching Pedro’s every move closely in the coming campaign.
So if he continues to act in the way he has been doing, there is a good chance the 23-year-old will miss a lot of games through suspension.
Newcastle need a big squad to cope with the demands of competing in so many competitions, so they cannot afford to risk having a player such as Pedro missing multiple matches due to bans if they sign him.
Howe will therefore have to be certain to lay down the law to the Brazilian if he arrives at St James’ Park, not least to make sure they get a return on their investment.