Chelsea forward Joao Pedro opens up on his two sides hidden from fans. One is the explosive striker who announced himself on the biggest stage, helped the Blues become world champions, scored 20 goals during the 2025/26 campaign and collected the club’s Player of the Season award.
The other is far more private. Pedro is simply a 24-year-old Brazilian who wants to switch off, return home and spend time with the people who knew him before football made him a global name.
Speaking during Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, the forward explained why those quiet moments in Brazil remain important to him.
“When I go to Brazil and stay with my friends, I try not to think too much about football,” the 24-year-old said.
“I don’t play football with them or anything like this; I just try to relax and enjoy myself with them.
“Brazil is my country; it’s where I grew up. So, whenever I have a holiday, it always feels good to be back there with my friends and family. It helps me recover and enjoy my break and means I can come back 100 per cent.”
Joao Pedro may not have wanted an extended summer break, but the time away from the pitch appears to have done him good.
The Blues forward had hoped to represent Brazil at the World Cup in North America, but instead used his time off to recharge, including a holiday in Cyprus.
He returned to Chelsea looking sharp — and his pre-season numbers have already caught attention.
Pedro has scored seven goals in five pre-season matches, suggesting he could be ready for another major campaign. But personal numbers are not his priority.
“My first year here was special, but it wasn’t what we wanted as a group. So, I will continue to give my best and hopefully I can have another good season and the team also achieves our targets.
“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!
“I feel very comfortable here and, hopefully, we can win more titles together.”
The new season also brings a major change at Stamford Bridge, with Xabi Alonso taking charge of the first team.
Joao Pedro has already enjoyed working with the former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen boss and believes Alonso has quickly created an environment where players can communicate openly.
“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.”
That relationship could become increasingly important as Alonso looks to get the best from a forward whose versatility makes him difficult to defend against.
Joao Pedro’s positional flexibility was one of his biggest strengths during his first season in west London.
Although he considers himself a natural No.9, he is comfortable dropping into midfield or moving towards the wing.
That adaptability has helped produce goals in a variety of ways — from a long-range strike against Napoli to a close-range header against West Ham United.
Then there was the spectacular overhead kick against Nottingham Forest, which Chelsea supporters voted their Goal of the Season.
“My position has always been number nine,” revealed Joao Pedro. “But because I have good technique, I can come deeper or go to the wing. But I just want to play and help the team on the pitch.
“Sometimes I will be deep, sometimes in the box. 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.
“If you just stay in the box, maybe you don’t get many chances. But if you stay outside, you can be far away from the goal. So, I need to use this feeling and then score goals.
“When I was younger, I played in different positions; I think it has helped me a lot. But we have top players in the middle of the pitch, so I will focus on scoring the goals!”
That instinct could prove decisive again this season. Joao Pedro has already shown he can adapt, score different types of goals and operate across the frontline.
Now, with Alonso beginning a new chapter at Chelsea, the forward has another opportunity to turn individual brilliance into collective success.
For all the goals, trophies and growing recognition, however, Joao Pedro still values the simple things. Home. Family. Friends. And the freedom to forget football for a while.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
