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Joao Pedro has reflected on a debut season at Chelsea that exceeded his own expectations, crediting an immediate bond with his new team-mates as the driving force behind his rapid adaptation to the club.
The Brazilian striker arrived at Chelsea ahead of last summer's FIFA Club World Cup and lifted the trophy within ten days of joining, a landmark he described as defining his early months at Stamford Bridge.
'The relationship with the guys was very special, very quickly we adapted to each other, like how me and Cole [Palmer] understood each other was very good, especially at the Club World Cup where I arrived and in 10 days I lifted the trophy,' Pedro said.
Pedro went on to win the club's Player of the Season award in his first campaign — an outcome he admitted he had not anticipated. 'I don't know if it was because I used to play in the Premier League against them a lot so I already knew them. The connection was very good,' he said.
'Last season wasn't good, but for me it was very good because I achieved things and now the fans understand what I can do,' he added.
Pedro made the comments during Chelsea's 2026 pre-season tour, speaking to the club's CFC Unlocked podcast on the Sydney harbourfront before the squad moved on to Hong Kong. Topics also included his early career, his summer return to Brazil, and preparations under new manager Xabi Alonso.