How Chelsea cancelled Joao Pedro’s holiday plans as £55m signing makes Nicolas Jackson admission

Joao Pedro has revealed he was always keeping himself ready, even while on holiday, with the possibility and expectation of Chelsea calling his phone.

The Blues completed the £55million signing of the 23-year-old forward less than a week ago, with the Brazil international signing an eight-year contract at Stamford Bridge. Just over 48 hours after officially becoming a Chelsea player, Joao Pedro made his debut for the Blues in the second-half of the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final victory against Palmeiras.

The new Chelsea signing impressed on his debut, coming on for Liam Delap in the No.9 role. Getting the nod ahead of Nicolas Jackson surprised many, especially given his lack of time with his new colleagues. It was, however, abundantly clear immediately what Joao Pedro offers Chelsea as the focal point in attack.

People were shocked the Brazilian looked so sharp, but this is down to his own work ethic. Joao Pedro was on holiday with his friends while his move to Chelsea was advancing. Despite being on vacation, Joao Pedro was always prepared for a move to be on the cards – with the forward, completely aware of Chelsea’s interest, keeping himself in the best possible condition just in case the call did come.

It did.

“I was on holiday, but I was always training,” Joao Pedro told reporters in New York ahead of Tuesday’s Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense. “I was in Brazil with my friends. [I was] in Rio, but I have a personal trainer and I trained as well so I was ready.

“Imagine if I didn’t train and Chelsea called me to come then it would be more difficult for me. I was on holiday with friends and family but I made sure I was ready.”

He added: “I knew Chelsea had an interest in me so that is why I was training harder and when they called me to come here, I was ready. I was not 100% but ready enough to come here and train.

“I made my debut and I think I showed I am ready and now I hope to play tomorrow. It was a great experience so let’s see tomorrow.”

One of the numerous reasons Chelsea went with Joao Pedro was because of his versatility across the front line. While we do not know Enzo Maresca’s long-term plan with the Brazilian, our first experience of him wearing a Chelsea shirt saw him occupying the No.9 role.

Delap was signed earlier in the summer for around £30million, while Jackson faces an uncertain future at the club. Joao Pedro appreciates the talents of his fellow forwards but is hoping he can show enough at the Blues to become first choice in whatever position he is used in.

“Every team has a different style of play,” the Brazilian said. “Delap has a style, Jackson another and I have my way. But I think that is good for Chelsea.

“I think whoever brings more good things to the team is going to play. Everyone will have to work hard and then Enzo will decide. He is a very good coach, very intelligent and he tries to make it easy for us.”