'People thought I was crazy!' - Joao Pedro opens up on journey from Fluminense to Chelsea - via Watford - as £60m man insists flying start to life at Stamford Bridge is 'just the beginning'

Born in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, Pedro first burst onto the scene at Fluminense, where his raw pace and natural instincts in front of goal turned heads across Europe. But instead of taking a direct leap to one of football’s giants, he took what many saw as a gamble, signing for Watford and experiencing the grind of English football’s second tier.

That patience and resilience have paid off spectacularly. Arriving from Brighton, Pedro was fast-tracked into Chelsea’s starting line-up in July, cutting short his summer holiday to ensure he could hit the ground running at the Club World Cup. The reward? A dream debut, where he became an instant hero. Against Palmeiras in the quarter-final, he showed flashes of brilliance. But it was the semi-final against his boyhood club, Fluminense, where Pedro truly announced himself, scoring two sensational goals against the very team where his journey began. Then, in the final against Paris Saint-Germain, he was at it again, delivering on the biggest stage to help Chelsea lift the trophy.

The fireworks didn’t end there. Back in domestic action, Pedro has carried that same fearless form into the Premier League. With two goals and two assists in just his first three league matches, he’s quickly adapted at Stamford Bridge. 

"Today's Joao Pedro is the Joao Pedro I've always dreamed of being," he told reporters on Brazil duty. "I am representing my country, I am in a big club in England, which has always been my dream to play there since I was a kid. I think I'm very calm with everything I've been going through. Because, as you said, my start at Fluminense was good. But then I had this transfer at Watford, I played in the second division. 

"Many people thought I was crazy because I was doing so well at Fluminense, and I left very young. But I believe I made the right choice. In the end, everything worked out. I'm in Chelsea, I'm in the national team. Confident, happy. And I think it's just the beginning of a beautiful story to come. Not only with the national team jersey, but also with Chelsea."

Carlo Ancelotti, the legendary Italian now guiding Brazil, will no doubt be watching Pedro’s every move with interest. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States looming, Brazil are desperate to claim a record-extending sixth world title. And Pedro, with his explosive form and cool finishing, could play a starring role. He will be eager to prove his worth to Ancelotti when the Selecao play Chile and Bolivia during the September international break.