The Chelsea forward sits fourth in the Premier League scoring charts – with 14 goals to his name – and is also ranked in the top ten for assists. In all competitions, following last Saturday’s strike against Port Vale, Joao Pedro is now just one goal away from hitting the milestone of 20 in his maiden campaign in blue.

He has impressed with his dynamism leading our attack, his finishing ability when chances fall his way, and his industry out of possession. Blues head coach Liam Rosenior believes if this upwards trajectory continues, the Brazil international will become ‘one of the best strikers in world football’.

That is a challenge our No.20 is determined to meet.

‘Of course, I’m very happy,’ smiles Joao Pedro. ‘I think it’s one of the best seasons of my life. I think the expectations from me were high, so I try to keep my mentality always forward to help my team-mates.

‘If I don’t score in one game, Reece [James] and my team-mates come to me and say, ‘Joao, you’ve got to score in the next one!’. I’ll try to keep my stats as high as possible.

‘When I joined here, I came here to win trophies and give my best for Chelsea. When I was younger, I was watching the Premier League and my dream was to be one of these players here in England, playing for a big club. Now is my time and I need to enjoy it.’

Part of the beauty of watching Joao Pedro play is the way in which he blends finesse with physicality. He is as comfortable going shoulder-to-shoulder with an opponent or challenging in an aerial duel as he is attempting a backheel or a reverse pass.

He explains his schooling in the game, at home in Brazil and then thousands of miles away at Watford, helped shape him into the player we all enjoy today.

‘Since I arrived in England, I had to adapt quickly to the physicality in the Premier League and also the Championship,’ says the 24-year-old.

‘The two years I spent in the Championship, I learned a lot because there is less quality than in the Premier League. So, when I joined the Premier League again, I was ready to play and I’m enjoying it.

'I arrived here at Chelsea and it’s completely different with a lot of quality players around me, and that makes my job easier. I try to enjoy when we have the ball, and I try to put the skills I learned in Brazil in my game as well.

'I enjoy a lot my time with Liam [Rosenior] because he gives me the freedom to do what I’m good at.’

You suspect the Blues will need Joao Pedro to be at his best if we are to beat Manchester City at Stamford Bridge in this weekend’s big Premier League fixture.

The forward’s mindset is clear going into the game and the rest of a season in which there is still so much up for grabs.

‘Everyone is focused on what we have to do. City have a great squad and they are in good shape, but we are Chelsea and we have a lot of quality as well. I think the game will be decided by details. Whoever makes fewer mistakes in the game will win.

‘We have tough games ahead, but it depends on us. The squad is very focused on what we have to do and hopefully, in the end, we can achieve what the manager and the club wants.’