Joao Pedro has explained why he signed a new contract with Chelsea until 2034. The Brazil international avoided the usual platforms, posting his explanation on LinkedIn rather than Instagram or X.
He signed a new contract on August 22, around 13 months after arriving from Brighton and Hove Albion for an initial £55 million. He netted 20 goals in all competitions in his first campaign in West London, and collected the supporters’ Player of the Season award and the club’s Goal of the Season prize.
Barcelona had kept tabs on his situation all summer before the Blues said their forward was not for sale at any price. Joao Pedro took to his LinkedIn page to reflect on the 14 transformative months since his arrival:
“I believe in where this club is going, I believe in the people around me and I want to be part of what comes next.”
The striker called his move to Stamford Bridge a turning point in his career, saying he had not realised how soon he would fall in love with London and the people within the club. He highlighted the Club World Cup win, the fans’ vote and the honour of taking over the number nine shirt as memories that will never fade from a debut season of which he remains proud.
Crucially, Joao Pedro dismissed the idea that meaningful progress has to come at the cost of upheaval:
“Progress doesn’t always mean choosing something different. Sometimes it’s recognising when you’re surrounded by the right people, still learning, still being challenged and still excited by what you’re building together.”
Those early signs are obvious under Xabi Alonso. In four Premier League games, the 24-year-old has scored three goals and laid on three assists, earning the division’s Player of the Month award for August.
Chelsea: When will Joao Pedro return from injury?
That renewed commitment comes with number nine sidelined after picking up a knee problem during the 2-2 draw with Hull City on 12 September. He played the full 90 minutes that afternoon, setting up Morgan Rogers’ opener and scoring the equaliser himself, and the discomfort only became apparent in subsequent training sessions.
The forward is reportedly dealing with swelling from a sprain of the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. Medics in London gave him around three and a half weeks’ rest, which is why he missed out on the Brazil squad for friendlies against Australia and India for Carlo Ancelotti.
Alonso subsequently confirmed the long international break should have his top scorer back on October 10. Chelsea have picked up seven points from five games and have already shipped twelve goals, so there is little room for further attrition up front.