Joao Pedro has spoken out after joining Chelsea instead of Newcastle United.
Pedro rejected Newcastle and, on Wednesday, completed a big move to Chelsea from Brighton.
Newcastle made a bid for Pedro, though couldn’t get a deal over the line and then lost out on yet another player to the Blues.
Liam Delap chose to move to Chelsea instead of Newcastle, around a year after defender Tosin Adarabioyo did something similar.
Chelsea confirmed the Brazilian’s addition on Wednesday, with the forward asked about his decision to join them shortly after.
Joao Pedro pictured looking on during Brighton's Premier League game against Aston Villa.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Joao Pedro explains why he joined Chelsea instead of Newcastle United
The Brazil international conducted a brief interview with Chelsea’s official website.
Pedro revealed that he grew up watching the Blues winning trophies and that was the level of ambition he wanted in his next move.
He also spoke to former Chelsea defender and Brazilian compatriot David Luiz about the move.
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“I grew up watching the Premier League, and Chelsea were a club that won trophies,” he said.
“So, when you join Chelsea, you can only think one thing: to win trophies. Every competition, you have to think, ‘I play for Chelsea and that is my ambition.
“I’m close a little bit to David Luiz. I spoke to him, not about Chelsea, but about my career and how I could develop better. He helped me.”
Eddie Howe frustrated after Joao Pedro snubbed Newcastle United
Geordie Boot Boys have been told that Eddie Howe is frustrated that Newcastle missed out on Pedro.
In 2022, the Magpies attempted to sign the forward while he was still a Watford player. Indeed, Pedro was “upset” he didn’t sign for Newcastle, but it seems the roles have been reversed three years on.
Newcastle still have plenty of time to source an alternative. Geordie Boot Boys understands that Newcastle are interested in Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, though it remains to be seen if they can do a deal with the Premier League champions.
To lose out to Chelsea again is hugely frustrating. They are a rival in the Premier League and already boasted a much deeper squad than Newcastle’s even before the signings of Pedro and Delap.
Hopefully, Newcastle can still put a squad together capable of competing.