Joao Pedro has revealed that Andrey Santos and David Luiz have both played key roles in inspiring him to join Chelsea this summer.
The versatile Brazilian forward joined Chelsea from Brighton in a £60million move announced on Wednesday afternoon, and could debut as early as Friday night, when the Blues face Palmeiras in the Club World Cup.
But it was his countrymen, Santos and Luiz, who helped him get to this stage of his career.
No-nonsense defender Luiz made 248 Chelsea appearances across two spells with the club, winning both the Champions League and Premier League, and has served as a mentor throughout Pedro’s career.
“I'm close a little bit to David Luiz,” he said after signing. “I spoke to him, not about Chelsea, but about my career and how I could develop better. He helped me.”
Santos, though, appears his closest friend in the current squad. The 21-year-old is set to be a first-team regular next season after he returned from a succesful loan spell at Strasbourg.
Pedro revealed that the pair discussed the move before he agreed to join Chelsea: “I was talking with Andrey from Instagram, asked about the guys, about the club, and he said good things about the team, so it is good to join.
“When you join one club and you know one of the players it makes it easier for sure.”
He added that he was pleased to join Willian on the list of Brazilians to have played for Chelsea.
His fascination with former Blues stars may be down to his childhood consumption of the Premier League. He said that watching Chelsea win titles as a child also inspired him to make the switch.
“I grew up watching the Premier League, and Chelsea was a club that won trophies. So, when you join Chelsea, you can only think one thing: to win trophies.
“Every competition, you have to think, ‘I play for Chelsea and that is my ambition’.
“They had brilliant players in the past, have great players now, so because it is a big club, that is why I chose to join.”
Pedro already has 89 Premier League appearances to his name following spells with Brighton and Watford, a fact which he hopes will help him to hit the groundrunning on arrival at Cobham.
“To move from my ex-club to Chelsea, it makes it easier because it is the same league, but different players.
“When I start to train with them, it will be good and the league will be more easy because I play already.
“I’m very technical. I love to score. When I was young, I played in midfield as well so I can give a pass to my teammates.”
