Joao Pedro has revealed how a conversation with Cole Palmer helped lay the foundation for their strong relationship at Chelsea, insisting he arrived at Stamford Bridge to strengthen the team rather than compete for his teammate’s place.
The Brazilian forward has enjoyed an impressive start to life under Xabi Alonso, with his growing partnership with Palmer and Morgan Rogers helping Chelsea build a dangerous attacking unit.
João Pedro was named Chelsea’s Player of the Season for 2025-26 after registering 20 goals and nine assists in 50 appearances following his arrival from Brighton in 2025. His performances have continued this campaign, with five goals and three assists in just six Premier League appearances.
The 25-year-old believes the welcoming atmosphere inside the Chelsea dressing room has played a major role in his development, particularly as he settles into the centre-forward position.
Speaking to ESPN, João Pedro highlighted the quality around him at the London club and explained how Palmer helped him adjust after his arrival.
“I think so, yes — especially here at Chelsea, where I’m surrounded by world-class players like Cole Palmer, Reece [James] and Moses Caicedo.
“I think my adjustment went well because it had been a while since there was a No. 9 here. Ever since my time at Brighton, I’d been keeping an eye on that spot — even when I played against them, I knew it could be an opportunity for me — and, thank God, when I arrived, Cole was a great friend to me; he reached out to me and talked to me.”
João Pedro said he made his intentions clear to Palmer, reassuring the England international that he had no interest in taking his place.
“I told him I was coming to help, that I didn’t want to take his spot — nothing like that.
“And that’s where a friendship was born that we carry on both on and off the field. And I think what helps me a lot — and now Morgan [Rogers] too — is that we have a really great friendship on and off the field; we’re always joking around.
“I think that’s why — I think the players were really friendly toward me when I arrived; they welcomed me with open arms, wanted to help me, and were willing to do so — so I think that’s why I adapted so well.”
The chemistry appears to be translating directly onto the pitch. Chelsea have benefited from the attacking combination of João Pedro, Palmer and Rogers, with Alonso’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation giving the trio opportunities to influence matches.
João Pedro also credited his manager’s confidence for his current performances, explaining that he feels settled and trusted within the system.
“At Chelsea I feel very comfortable,” the Brazilian said. “It’s a different season, with a coach who gives me a lot of confidence, and I think that’s a big part of my performance so far this season.”
With Palmer and Rogers providing support behind him, the striker believes Chelsea’s attacking setup can deliver even greater results as the campaign progresses.
“I think it does make it easier,” he said. “I have Cole and Morgan there to help me, to feed me the passes — you can see that the start of the season has been really good. So I think it’s going to be a really good season for us.”
João Pedro’s rise has not been without setbacks. Despite his strong debut season in London, he was left out of Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup by Carlo Ancelotti, a disappointment that came after an impressive campaign at club level.
However, the forward believes the challenges he faced earlier in his career helped shape the mentality that has brought him to Chelsea.
He pointed to his time at Watford, where he remained after the club’s relegation in May 2022, as a defining moment in his development.
“I think that for my success here, the decisive moment was when Watford was relegated to the second division [in May 2022] and I stayed anyway.
“I worked hard and proved that I could overcome that challenge. Because a lot of the time, we Brazilian players come to Europe thinking everything will be a bed of roses, but sometimes that’s not how it goes… and we end up giving up, but I think that was the moment when I said to myself: ‘No, I came here, and I’m going to succeed here.’
“And thank God, today I’m at Chelsea.
“I have a phrase tattooed on me that says: ‘Just as there are bad moments, there will be happy ones too.’ I try not to focus on the past… what’s done is done.”
Now established as a key figure in Chelsea’s attack, João Pedro will hope his partnership with Palmer and Rogers continues to flourish as Alonso’s side push forward in the Premier League. With confidence high and goals flowing, the Brazilian is determined to turn his strong start into another memorable season in blue.
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.
