Joao Pedro believes Chelsea showed our strength in an impressive opening game of what could be a great season for the Blues, especially with the Brazilian lining up alongside Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers in a new-look attack.
The starting line-up for Xabi Alonso’s first competitive match as Chelsea manager featured a front three of Joao Pedro down the middle, supported either side by Palmer and summer signing Rogers.
It proved a big hit on its first outing, with all three of those players getting on the scoresheet as we began our 2026/27 campaign with a 3-2 Premier League win away at neighbours Fulham on Monday evening.
That front three is already causing plenty of excitement among the Blues supporters following its debut at Craven Cottage, and it seems to be shared by Joao Pedro after a performance full of movement and clever combinations.
‘Cole and Morgan, they are special players. Everyone knows that,’ said Joao Pedro after Chelsea’s winning start to the season.
‘I'm very grateful to play with them because I know if I make some runs, like yesterday, you know Cole and Morgan are going to give the ball to me, and I have to be ready to score. So it's very special for me to play with them.
‘I just try to enjoy and try to help my team in every game. Then this season, see what I get. I just try to score in every opportunity I have.
‘I’ve known Morgan since a long time ago because we played against each other,' added our new number nine. 'So when he joined the club, I knew it was very good for us because he's a very good player, and I think he can help us like he did yesterday.
‘I think now in the game, if we move a lot, it will be difficult for defenders to pick up one player, to stay with them. The manager led us to be free on the pitch, so we understand each other well. So this just helps us and hopefully it can happen many more times this season.’
The striker was quick to point out the victory was down to the whole team’s display, though, not just that of the front three. Furthermore, he believes it was a performance and result which laid down a marker for the season to come.
‘I think the whole group was very good, we tried to do our job,’ he continued. ‘We conceded two goals, but I think we did a great game. It's very difficult to play there and get the three points, and that is the important thing.
‘I think it's too early to say what our target is, but we need to go step-by-step. We have to focus on the Premier League and the cups. We have a lot of time to train as well, to know what the coach wants from us. Let's see in the end, hopefully we can achieve our targets.
‘I will enjoy this season, of course, because I think we can achieve higher things. When you play for Chelsea, you always need to look for that. Yesterday was a great game to show our power and hopefully we can continue like this in the rest of the season.’