Joao Pedro was 'scared' how Chelsea star would react to £60m transfer

Joao Pedro joined Chelsea in a £60m deal from Brighton (Picture: Getty)

Joao Pedro has explained why he was ‘a little bit scared’ by how Cole Palmer would react to his summer move to Chelsea .

The Brazilian forward completed a £60m move to Stamford Bridge earlier in the summer after spending the previous two seasons at Brighton.

Pedro already looks like one of Chelsea’s better summer signings, scoring three goals in the successful Club World Cup campaign and netting two goals in the first three Premier League games of the season.

The 23-year-old was excited to link up with ‘superstar’ Palmer at Chelsea but was apprehensive about how the England star would react to the move.

However, the pair have quickly formed a healthy relationship both on and off the pitch.

‘Cole is a superstar,’ Pedro told the Evening Standard . ‘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.

Summer signing Pedro with Chelsea star Cole Palmer (Picture: Getty)

‘We have a 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 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.’

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Another summer of heavy investment and Chelsea’s progress under Enzo Maresca has raised hope of a title challenge at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues finished 15 points behind Premier League champions Liverpool last season but already appear to have closed the gap on Arne Slot’s side and runners-up Arsenal.

‘It’s too early to say whether we’re going to win it or not,’ Pedro added. ‘But if you watch us, you’ll say we have a good chance. I agree.

Chelsea have enjoyed a bright start to the new season (Picture: Getty)

‘The team is young. Everyone has a long contract so we can play together for a long time. If we all know each other, we’re more likely to win titles.’

While Pedro is determined to help Chelsea lift more silverware, he also has some individual goals and is dreaming of winning the Golden Boot and Ballon d’Or.

‘Big clubs from England have brought the top strikers from Europe this summer,’ he said in reference to the likes of Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko .

‘It will be interesting to compete with them for the Golden Boot. It would be a dream one day to win the Ballon d’Or. I believe in myself. Everything is possible. Maybe it can happen.’

Pedro will look to continue his bright start to the new Premier League season when Chelsea face Brentford after the international break.

First the forward will hope to contribute for Carlo Ancelotti in Brazil’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia.

Pedro has earned three caps for Brazil since making his international debut in 2023 and will hope to be named in Ancelotti’s World Cup squad next summer.