Has Pedro Done Enough to Earn Another Year at Chelsea?

From marquee signing to transfer disappointment, Chelsea's Pedro has endured a tough induction to English football.

The player we expected to see from his many years spent at the Camp Nou with Barcelona is yet to reveal himself in a blue shirt. Pedro has been inconsistent and hasn't made any sort of impact.

In 22 Premier League appearances, Pedro has scored four times and picked up just two assists. For a player of his stature and reputation, those stats outline how ineffective he has been.

They're the sort of stats we've come to expect from Oscar and others in this Chelsea side. And it's those sort of players that Pedro was intended to be an upgrade on. Instead, he's provided much of the same.

Chelsea could ill afford another passenger this season, but it's what they've inherited with the Spaniard. They needed a player who would inspire their flagging attacking midfield after a disastrous start to the campaign. The Blues needed to inject some inspiration, a bit of energy to inspire those in the squad.

It seemed to work on Pedro's debut when he put in an exciting display for his new club against West Bromwich Albion in a 3-2 win. That was back in August, and Pedro hasn't scaled those same heights since.

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Now as Chelsea rapidly approach the crossroads that is the summer transfer window, the question is whether or not Pedro should remain in west London.

It's a question Chelsea don't exactly have the right to be asking, though. It's Pedro who should be reflecting on whether moving to the Premier League has been good for him, not the other way around.

The chaos that has ensued at Stamford Bridge this term has been hardly Pedro's making. He's been forced to adjust and settle at a club that have suffered from self-inflicted mediocrity.

A lack of activity in the transfer market and the reliance on a streamlined squad has got Chelsea where they are.

In terms of Chelsea not quite getting what they were expecting from Pedro, he should be thinking the same about the Blues.

Brought to a new country, league and football culture, the setup at Stamford Bridge has been far from ideal for Pedro. Every new player—especially one who hasn't benefited from a pre-season with his new team-mates, like the Spaniard—needs an element of stability to settle and make an impact.

Indeed, it's rare that an overseas capture will immediately repeat the form that inspired his new club to buy him. The most successful players are integrated and given time to make their presence known.

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Pedro simply hasn't had that privilege.

A manager being sacked and rumours of dressing-room strife have done for Pedro what they have Chelsea—they've rendered this season one to forget. Pedro will no doubt have had a support team behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge to induct him into life in London, but in terms of the football stability, it simply hasn't been there.

Chelsea have been a mess, which is why fingers can hardly be pointed the Spaniard's way. His below-par performances have played a part in the struggles Chelsea have endured, but it's been more about the established names at Chelsea letting the club down.

Pedro deserves time in west London, and Chelsea would be wise to give it to him. We haven't seen his best, but at 28 years old, he's a player very much in his prime and with plenty to offer.

His experience from playing alongside Lionel Messi and others at Barcelona is a significant part of the package. Sure, the majority of players in the Chelsea squad this season are Premier League champions by name, but where are the serial winners?

There aren't many these days, with the club's prolonged transition diluting that element of the club. It's not enough to win a league title—Chelsea players need to have the desire to go out and repeat that success year on year.

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This season suggests that part of their character is lacking. There have been many more reasons besides, but we've seen the team suffer from complacency this year. Perhaps it was winning the Premier League at a canter or an inflated opinion of their ability—whatever it was, they haven't looked as motivated to sustain their success in the way they should have.

Pedro was indoctrinated at Barcelona, a club that feeds on glory and strives for it every year. That's the mentality of player the Catalan giants attract, and now we're going to see if Chelsea have anything like that.

They did a few years back when players like Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard ruled the roost, but what of this new generation? The jury is very much still out.

To install that sort of culture requires players and a coach to preach it. Pedro knows what it's all about to be the very best and maintain it, which is why he is so much more valuable than just a player. Inside the Chelsea dressing room, he should be viewed as a symbol for what the club is attempting to achieve.

Despite a dour season, Chelsea will do well to remember that about Pedro. He has a lot to offer the club on and off the pitch. With a new manager coming in, his experience and winning knowhow will prove invaluable to a team that isn't quite sure where it's headed.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes