Photo: DHSgov / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
Joao Pedro scored 20 goals in his debut Chelsea season, was voted Player of the Season by supporters, and won the Club World Cup within ten days of joining — yet the 24-year-old says the collective targets were not met and he is determined to do more.
The Brazilian forward spoke to the club during Chelsea's pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, where he has scored seven goals in five matches, underlining a sharp return to form after a summer break that included time at home in Brazil and a holiday in Cyprus.
'My first year here was special, but it wasn't what we wanted as a group,' Joao Pedro said. 'I will continue to give my best and hopefully I can have another good season and the team also achieves our targets.'
On adapting to life at Stamford Bridge, the forward said the transition was immediate. 'I know that when a new player joins a club, sometimes it can be a little bit difficult. For me at Chelsea, it was completely different. I felt at home straight away and won a trophy after just ten days!'
Joao Pedro also addressed his role under new head coach Xabi Alonso, who took charge of the first team ahead of this pre-season. 'The manager is very open; he has come here to help everyone. I've had a few chats with him, which I have enjoyed a lot. I'm looking forward a lot to the season to try to help him and Chelsea achieve the targets.'
The forward's versatility was a hallmark of his first campaign, producing a long-range strike at Napoli, a close-range header against West Ham United, and an overhead kick versus Nottingham Forest that supporters named Goal of the Season.
'My position has always been number nine,' he said. 'But because I have good technique, I can come deeper or go to the wing. What I can't lose is the instinct of where I need to be on the pitch. Sometimes, in football, you just need to feel.'
Joao Pedro missed the World Cup in North America with Brazil during the summer, though he said regular time back home remains essential to his preparation. 'Brazil is my country; it's where I grew up. Whenever I have a holiday, it always feels good to be back there with my friends and family. It helps me recover and means I can come back 100 per cent.'