convinced to move to the Premier League
champions by Jose Mourinho and Cesc Fabregas.
The 28-year-old on Thursday signed a four-year
deal after the Blues agreed a £21.4 million
(€30million) fee with Barcelona.
The Spain winger, who had been a target of
Manchester United, immediately trained with his
new teammates at Chelsea's Cobham training
ground and could make his debut in Sunday's
match at West Brom.
.@ChelseaFC is delighted to announce the signing
of @_Pedro17_ from Barcelona: http://t.co/
WChMuqVyCf pic.twitter.com/c3u9XdmwBI
- Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 20, 2015
It was Mourinho and former Barcelona playmaker
Fabregas, whose first season at Stamford Bridge
ended with a Premier League and Capital One
Cup double, who persuaded Pedro to join the
Blues.
Pedro said on Chelsea's website: "[Mourinho] is
one of the main reasons why I'm here. He phoned
me a few times and said he needed me to make
the team stronger.
"He has won titles wherever he has been. I am
really looking forward to playing under him and
hopefully winning more titles.
"I spoke to Cesc. We are very good friends. I knew
I would feel at home here and that was one of the
main reasons why I decided to join.
"He's a great player, he's got brilliant vision and
he links up really well with the other attacking
players. I know we work well together on the
pitch so I can't wait to play with him again.
"I have also played with Diego Costa and Cesar
Azpilicueta before, for the national team, so I feel
very comfortable here."
Pedro had been a target for United throughout
the summer, with the club's executive vice
chairman Ed Woodward flying to Catalonia on
Monday in an attempt to seal a deal for the
player.
But things changed rapidly on Wednesday as it
emerged that United boss Louis van Gaal had
withdrawn his interest while Chelsea were moving
to steal a march on their rivals.
It was reminiscent of the deal two years ago
which saw Willian on the verge of signing for
Tottenham before Chelsea swooped for the
Brazilian.
Mourinho has acted quickly and decisively in the
transfer market after Chelsea endured their worst
start to a season in 17 years.
Shortly after their 3-0 defeat at Manchester City,
Chelsea signed left-back Baba Rahman from
Augsburg for £21m, and Pedro's arrival gives
Mourinho's side fresh attacking intent.
The Blues also hope to conclude the signing of
Everton defender John Stones before the transfer
window shuts on Sept. 1, although the Toffees
are sticking firm and determined to hold on to the
England international.
Pedro's arrival could have repercussions for Juan
Cuadrado, who has disappointed since his
January arrival from Fiorentina, or Victor Moses,
who is back at Chelsea after spending last season
on loan at Stoke.
Oscar and Willian are others who could find
themselves in need of justifying their places,
although Mourinho will be less inclined to lose the
Brazilian pair.
Very happy, I'm already Blue! Thank U all and
specially @FCBarcelona for make possible to reach
this point @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/
fgERbDXLcJ
- Pedro Rodríguez (@_Pedro17_) August 20, 2015
Pedro wishes to hit the ground running and is
versatile, so could provide a central attacking
option, too.
"I am ready to start playing straightaway if the
manager selects me," he said. "Sometimes I play
on the right, sometimes on the left, but wherever
I play I will give my best.
"I am very fast. I do everything possible to win. I
have helped Barcelona win titles and I want to do
exactly the same thing at Chelsea, because
ultimately we are all here to win things.
"It's a new challenge and I can't wait to get
going.
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