In a recent interview with Standard Sport, one of Chelsea’s brightest summer signings admitted he was “a little scared” of Cole Palmer when he first arrived at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer has been at the heart of Chelsea’s revival since joining from Manchester City in 2023, driving the Blues to a top-four finish, the UEFA Conference League, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
His status as the team’s talisman left João Pedro, who joined from Brighton for £60m, unsure how he would fit alongside the England international.
“Cole is a superstar,” Pedro revealed. “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.’”
That help has arrived quickly. Pedro has scored five goals in his first five starts for the club and struck up an instant chemistry with Palmer, including both getting on the scoresheet as Chelsea beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the Club World Cup final.
“He knows I can help him, and I know he can help me,” Pedro added. “We have a good chemistry on the pitch. Together, we can win more titles for Chelsea.”
Pedro has long been described as a modern, flexible forward. While Enzo Maresca has used him primarily as a No.9, the Brazilian insists he is comfortable dropping deeper into a No.10 role, where he can combine link-up play, dribbling, and creativity with his eye for goal.
“I’m a modern striker who can also create. I play in small spaces, one-vs-one, and I can assist as well as score,” he said.
The forward has also made clear his ambitions: helping Chelsea mount a Premier League title challenge, pushing for the Brazil No.9 shirt ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and one day competing for the Ballon d’Or.
Pedro’s arrival marks another step in Chelsea’s long-term project under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, while his rapid impact has already made him one of the players to watch this season.
Fittingly, the 22-year-old has been nominated for Premier League Player of the Month alongside his coach Enzo Maresca, who is shortlisted for Manager of the Month.
