Brighton star becoming ‘new Ivan Toney’ as De Zerbi admits ‘it’ll be very tough to keep him for another year’

BRIGHTON’S Joao Pedro is on track to becoming the new Ivan Toney, according to fans.

And the Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi fears he will not able to hold onto his star penalty taker for much longer.

AFP

Joao Pedro has been likened to Ivan Toney by fans[/caption]

Reuters

Pedro’s superb penalty taking resembles Toney’s success rate from the 12-yard spot[/caption]

Getty

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi now fears he cannot hold onto to Pedro for much longer[/caption]

Pedro, 22, was Brighton’s hero on Thursday night as he added another two spot-kick strikes to his tally this season – assisting his side to a triumphant 4-2 win against Tottenham.

This term alone the Brazillian star has netted eight penalites across all competitions.

His talent off hitting the back of the net from the 12 yard spot has even been likened to Brentford‘s Toney.

As one fan said on Twitter: “Joao Pedro is the coolest penalty taker after Ivan Toney“.

Up until Toney’s suspension – which he will be serving until the new year – the Englishmen has scored 28 out 30 spot-kicks.

With now 11 successful penalty shots across his senior career the Pedro could in the future line up as one of the leagues greatest such as Alan Shearer, Harry Kane and Frank Lampard.

And boss De Zerbi admitted he might not be able to keep the gifted forward for much longer.

He said: “I hope to work with Joao Pedro for another year but I think it will be very tough.

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“He was the best player on the pitch. It was another incredible performance. He defended for 90 minutes like a centre-back”.

The single-cap Brazil international joined the Seagulls for £30million at the start of the summer.

The former Fluminense star impressed Brighton after his terrific form at Championship side Watford.

Across his three terms at the Hornets he scored 24 goals across 109 appearances.