While Estevao Willian got the Sky Sports man of the match award, Joao Pedro was many Blues fans’ pick for the best player in the win over West Ham on Friday.
He scored a header from a corner to get his team level, then flighted a cross in for Pedro Neto to put the team ahead. He then got another assist later in the game.
JP on being at a “big team”
Speaking after the game, the striker spoke about how happy he was to be at a top team competing for the top trophies:
“A lot of Brazilians have come here and made history, but it’s the beginning of my journey.
“I’ve been expecting to come to a big team for a long time, so I’ve arrived with a lot of energy to take this opportunity. I wanted to try and show my quality in the game, and today I was happy to score and get two assists.”
Brighton fans might not like that – but surely they don’t think they’re a big team?
Joao Pedro on new-look Chelsea and their connection with the fans
It was notable after the win on Friday that the whole squad went to celebrate with the gleeful away fans. There will be some dark times this season, that is guaranteed. So it’s nice to see the players and fans build a connection while the going is good. That bond will help them through tough times. If you want to lay into yout team when they do badly, it’s only fair you give them praise when they do well.
Joao Pedro noted this connection and compared it to what he sees in his native country:
“I’m from Brazil, and the connection between the players and the fans is so important. Of course, we’ll always be going to give 100 per cent to make them happy. I’m very happy to play in front of the fans and show them our quality.”
Why should Brighton fans be unhappy? Chelsea are a bigger club and have given them £250 million in the last few years so just suck it up Brighton
Didn’t you know that Chelsea are Brightons feeder club.
We wish JP all the best. He did a great job at Brighton and of course he’s missed but yes, Chelsea are a bigger club and have more resources. Chelsea are a big part of Brighton’s journey.
I really don’t think why we would be upset by that as we know who we are and where we have come from.
We know we haven’t got the same prestigious success as the so-called big six, but, on occasions we still keep on beating them each season.
Focusing on the term ‘big’ team as though it is some insult to Brighton fans is extremely narrow-minded and antagonistic, and promoted as some type of entitlement driving a wedge between the opposing a clubs. Rather immature as silly I think.
Not offended at all. In the grand scheme of things we are not a big club, but we are a generally well run club. The most frustrating thing is that JP could be amazing for us but sometimes he would just look sulky and not be at his best…. But a few games for you guys he looks like a freaking world breaker