Joao Pedro confirms Chelsea stance amid Arsenal interest
Joao Pedro has admitted that he feels “very comfortable” at Chelsea following rumoured transfer interest from Arsenal and Barcelona this summer.
The Brazil centre forward scored 20 goals in 50 games during his debut season at Stamford Bridge last year and he was subsequently earmarked as a top target for Barcelona amid their pursuit of a suitable replacement for the departed Robert Lewandowski.
Arsenal were also eager to finalise a deal, as they looked to bolster the attacking options at Mikel Arteta’s disposal, but Chelsea batted away all interest in the 25-year-old and they finalised a contract extension agreement in August.
Pedro missed Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening, however he has five goals in seven appearances so far this season and while transfer speculation may reappear next year, the Brazilian has confirmed that he feels at home under Xabi Alonso.
“At Chelsea I feel very comfortable,” Pedro told ESPN ahead of the loss to Spurs. “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.”
Pedro has firmly established himself as Chelsea’s first-choice number nine since the departure of Enzo Maresca, and he has admitted that the atmosphere at the club has helped his development in recent months.
“I think so, yes - especially here at Chelsea, where I'm surrounded by world-class players like Cole Palmer, Reece [James] and Moises 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.
“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.
“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.”
Who could leave Chelsea in 2027?
While Pedro is almost guaranteed to remain at Chelsea next year, there are several Blues stars who could look to leave the club.
Estevao Willian is reportedly growing increasingly frustrated by his lack of game time so far this season and may push for a transfer, while fellow attacker Jamie Gittens faces an uncertain future too after a proposed summer move to AS Roma fell through.
Chelsea will also likely look to sanction the permanent sales of Benoit Badiashile, Alejandro Garnacho, Robert Sanchez, Axel Disasi, Mykhailo Mudryk and Filip Jorgensen after their loan spells away from the club expire at the end of the 2026-27 campaign.
Meanwhile, it’s understood that Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott is the club’s top target following their failure to replace Enzo Fernandez over the summer.
