“Power” – Why Chelsea conceding first against West Ham was good long term according to Joao Pedro | OneFootball

Joao Pedro had his first quiet game for Chelsea in the Premier League opener against Crystal Palace, but he was back to his best last night against West Ham, picking up a goal and an assist.

Speaking to Chelsea’s website after the game, he was all about the team, however.

Brazil star Joao Pedro hails his teammates after teamwork brings win

Joao Pedro celebrates scoring against West Ham. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

“We started the game having gone one goal down, but we showed our togetherness today to win the game,” Joao Pedro said post-match.

“I think we know our power. When we started the game, the first thing we thought about was winning. We’ve got so much power in the team. Cole Palmer was out today, but we played Estevao Willian and he showed his quality. It’s good to have a team like this.

“With [so many] different players scoring today, that will help give confidence to the team. That confidence will help us keep going.

“To have the first win away is very important for us. It helps to prepare us for other games. You never know, you can go 1-0 down, but if you have the confidence, then you can change the game.”

Joao Pedro hits on one of the two things Chelsea need to have a top season

It’s interesting to hear him say that. There are two “c” words which will define this season – confidence and consistency. Right now the team is full of the former, but they need to make sure they maintain the latter even when things go against them.

There’s no shortage of talent, as JP says. The question is how that group copes with setbacks. Last season we went into a negative spiral which we were only able to recover from at the last moment. If we want to really achieve something this season, we can’t afford a period like that.