Joao Pedro’s whirlwind arrival at Chelsea this summer has electrified Stamford Bridge and set tongues wagging across the Premier League. The 23-year-old Brazilian forward, who signed from Brighton for a fee rising to £60 million, has wasted no time making his mark—on the pitch, in the dressing room, and in the hearts of fans hoping for a new era of attacking brilliance in West London.
Pedro’s transfer, finalized at breakneck speed while he was still on holiday in Rio de Janeiro, was the centerpiece of a Chelsea recruitment drive focused on youth and potential. The Blues, under the stewardship of manager Enzo Maresca and the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, have poured over £1.3 billion into assembling one of Europe’s most exciting young squads since 2022. Alongside Pedro, the likes of Estevao, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, and Jorrel Hato—all under 24—have joined the fold, signaling a bold intent to build for both present and future glory.
Pedro’s start has been nothing short of sensational. After touching down in the United States to join Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign, he scored both goals in a 2-0 semi-final victory over his boyhood club Fluminense, before finding the net again in a 3-0 thrashing of Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain in the final. “When I arrived in the USA, Enzo said: ‘I want you as a No9’. In training, he says, ‘João, you need to be more clinical in this part, make a touch to the right here.’ I love this kind of coach. If you don’t get feedback, it’s difficult to improve,” Pedro told Standard Sport.
That instant impact carried over into the Premier League. Pedro scored five goals in his first five starts—one of the best early records in Chelsea’s Premier League era—and added two assists in the opening three matches of the 2025-2026 campaign. Chelsea sits second in the table, just behind Liverpool, after a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace and emphatic wins over West Ham (5-1) and Fulham (2-0). Pedro’s form has earned him a nomination for Premier League Player of the Month for August, while Maresca is up for Manager of the Month honors.
Pedro’s presence has also sparked excitement about new attacking partnerships, particularly with Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer. Yet, the Brazilian admits he was initially apprehensive about meeting his new teammate. “Cole is a superstar. When I came to Chelsea I was a little bit scared about how he was going to react, because I was the main guy at Brighton. I knew Chelsea would be different. I said: ‘Cole, I’m here to help you’,” Pedro confessed in an exclusive interview. “He knows I can help him, and I know he can help me. We have good chemistry on the pitch; I think he feels the same. Together, we can win more titles for Chelsea.”
Unfortunately, Palmer has been sidelined by a persistent groin injury since the season opener against Crystal Palace, limiting their opportunities to develop that chemistry. Fans and pundits alike are eagerly awaiting Palmer’s return, convinced that the Pedro-Palmer partnership could become one of the league’s most potent attacking duos. “Cole doesn’t like to talk much, but we talk about how good the season can be if we link up,” Pedro added. “When I joined in the USA, he asked me how many goals I am going to score this season. I call him sometimes. After he didn’t play at West Ham, the next day I texted him. We have a very good relationship.”
Pedro’s ambitions, however, stretch far beyond Stamford Bridge. He has made no secret of his desire to challenge for the Premier League Golden Boot and dreams of one day lifting the Ballon d’Or. “Big clubs from England have brought the top strikers from Europe this summer. It will be interesting to compete with them for the Golden Boot,” he declared. “It would be a dream one day to win the Ballon d’Or. I believe in myself. Everything is possible. Maybe it can happen.”
He also has his eyes firmly set on international glory. With Brazil preparing for the 2026 World Cup, Pedro is determined to claim the coveted No. 9 shirt for the Seleção. “Everyone dreams to wear No9 for Brazil in the World Cup. I need to do my job here, and then Mr [Carlo] Ancelotti will choose. I think I have a good chance.” His main rivals for the role include Richarlison, Endrick, and Igor Jesus, but Pedro insists, “I don’t feel pressure.”
Pedro’s journey to the top has been shaped by his versatility and relentless drive. Originally a No. 10 at Fluminense, he transitioned to striker as a teenager, quickly establishing himself as a prolific scorer. After stints at Watford and Brighton, he arrived at Chelsea with a reputation for being a modern forward—capable of playing as a No. 9 or dropping deeper as a No. 10, adept at both scoring and assisting. “Old No9s held it up, were physical; my style is different. I’m very good in one-versus-ones, can pass, get assists, score. I’m a modern No9 who can play No10. I play in small spaces,” Pedro explained.
Off the pitch, Pedro has embraced life in London, spending time with fellow Brazilians Andrey Santos and Estevao. He has taken the 18-year-old Estevao under his wing, helping him adapt to the demands of Premier League football. “Mate, he’s from the street. You can see he is natural. Tosin [Adarabioyo] said to me: ‘João, wow. Estêvão is amazing’. Playing for Brazil and Chelsea at 18, oh my God. He’s going to be like Vinícius Jr.” Estevao has featured in all three of Chelsea’s league matches so far, starting two and providing an assist, with Pedro confident that his young teammate is destined for stardom.
Pedro’s respect for his teammates extends throughout the squad. He cites Enzo Fernandez’s quality and Reece James’s composure under pressure as inspirations, while his admiration for veteran James Milner’s mentality—honed during their time together at Brighton—remains undiminished. “His mentality is why he’s played for so long. I said to him: ‘James, I want to play for a big club’. He made me promise I would never stop pushing my limits. He is an inspiration. He won everything, and I want to win these titles too. Mentality can be the difference-maker on the pitch.”
With Chelsea’s youthful squad gelling under Maresca’s guidance, Pedro believes the club has a “good chance” of challenging for the Premier League title this season. “It’s too early to say whether we’re going to win it or not,” he admitted. “But if you watch us, you’ll say we have a good chance. I agree.”
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Joao Pedro—his goals, his partnerships, and his relentless pursuit of greatness. Whether it’s the Golden Boot, the Ballon d’Or, or the Premier League trophy, Pedro’s journey at Chelsea is only just beginning, but it’s already one of the stories to watch in English football.
