Joao Pedro has admitted he felt nervous about meeting one of Chelsea’s biggest stars when he arrived at Stamford Bridge earlier this summer.
The Brazil international completed a £60 million move from Brighton in July and has made an immediate impact, having been nominated for August’s Premier League Player of the Month.
He bagged three goals in as many FIFA Club World Cup games – including one in the final – helping Chelsea to glory in the maiden edition of the revamped format of the competition.
He has also added two goals and two assists in three Premier League outings, helping the Blues climb to second in the table behind defending champions Liverpool.
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Which Chelsea teammate left Joao Pedro nervous?
In a recent interview with The Standard, Joao Pedro revealed that it was Cole Palmer who left him starstruck upon his arrival at the club.
“Cole is a superstar,” the 23-year-old said.
“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.’ He knows I can help him, and I know he can help me.”
The Brazilian explained that he and Palmer have quickly built a blossoming on-field partnership.
“We have good chemistry on the pitch; I think he feels the same. Together, we can win more titles for Chelsea.
“Cole doesn’t like to talk much, but we talk about how good the season can be if we link up. When I joined in the USA, he even asked me how many goals I was 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.”
Palmer has cemented his status as Chelsea’s talisman after two excellent campaigns, producing 37 goals and 19 assists in 70 league appearances.
Joao Pedro’s ambitions at Chelsea
The Premier League has seen a serious influx of center-forwards this summer.
Arsenal have added Viktor Gyokeres, Liverpool brought in in Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, while Manchester United acquired Benjamin Sesko, and Tottenham sealed a deadline day loan deal for Randal Kolo Muani.
But Joao Pedro is not intimidated by the competition, adding that he is eager to go up against the best players in the world with the ambition of one day winning 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 added.
Long-term, his ambitions are even higher: “It would be a dream one day to win the Ballon d’Or. I believe in myself. Everything is possible. Maybe it can happen.
“It’s too early to say whether we’re going to win it [the Premier League] or not. But if you watch us, you’ll say we have a good chance. I agree.
“If we won the Premier League and Champions League, it will be a top season. And if you win titles, you can be a legend.”
Chelsea news and related links
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