João Pedro shines after Chelsea move and Brazil call-up: "I'm seen differently" | OneFootball

João Pedro has lived intensely over the past two months. The 23-year-old striker transferred from Brighton to Chelsea in July of this year and was one of the main highlights of the Blues in the unprecedented conquest of the Club World Cup. A month later, he continued to shine in England and was called up by coach Carlo Ancelotti to defend the Brazilian National Team.

The center forward has played very few games for Chelsea, but is already making a difference. He has five goals and two assists in six games. In the player's view, going to the London club gave him greater visibility, considering the global focus on one of the biggest championships in the world: the Premier League.

“I believe I am the same João Pedro from Brighton. The only thing that changed is that when you go to a team the size of Chelsea, with better players around, you have more visibility. When I was called up by Brighton, the National Team already saw potential in me. I went to Chelsea, I was champion, I showed a football that I had already been showing at Brighton, but with a little less visibility. I was waiting for this moment. Today, I believe people see me with different eyes," said João Pedro.

“I took the opportunity to arrive at Chelsea in the middle of the season and show the football that I had been showing for a long time, but did not have so much visibility. It's about continuing to work, because people look at me differently. They will always expect something more from me. But I have a very calm head and I know my potential on the field. I hope the fans are happy with my performances in the National Team," he continued.

(Photo: @rafaelribeirorio / CBF)

João Pedro was called up for the first time back in 2023, when the Brazilian National Team was under the command of Fernando Diniz. The center forward played only three games with the Yellow and Green, all in the Qualifiers, but has not yet managed to score.

“In my first call-up, there is always that anxiety, that nervousness that is normal for a boy because of the size of the Brazilian National Team, not only in Brazil but also in the world. But I believe that, as the National Team is going through a process, the players go through the same. Players need time. Not every player will arrive and show their best always, there are cases and cases," explained João Pedro.

“I believe that, every time I come here, I am always more prepared. I come with a different position, but knowing that I need to work a lot, because we have ten months to the World Cup. Whenever there is an opportunity to be here, I will come and do my job. Who will start playing and be a starter depends on the coach," he added.

Competition in the National Team

João Pedro was also asked about what he thinks of the competition to be the number nine of the Brazilian National Team. Two other original center forwards were also called up by Ancelotti: Richarlison, an old acquaintance of the coach, and Kaio Jorge, a debutant.

“The coach has his trusted players, it's normal. This coming of mine now is an opportunity to show my football and for him to get to know me. I believe it will be very good, not only for me, but for others as well, because I believe that everyone wants to be at the World Cup. About the competitors, I try to work, do my job, because when you focus too much on others, you end up forgetting about yourself. I try to do my job at my club, because I know I am being watched. The decision is the coach's, regardless of whether I am doing well or poorly, but I believe he will always do the best for the National Team. But if I have a good performance, with goals and assists, I think I will always be here," analyzed the athlete.

The Brazilian National Team has been suffering from the fluctuation of center forwards in recent call-ups. The team has been finding it difficult to find a nine who fully establishes himself in the starting lineup. The mission, now, is Ancelotti's. In his first games, the Italian tested a formation without a fixed nine, and another with Richarlison.

João Pedro believes that the number nine of the Brazilian National Team needs to have a "continuous performance" to have a more guaranteed place in the starting lineup. In high demand at Chelsea, the 23-year-old may, perhaps, be this name.

“To be the nine of the National Team, you have to have a continuous performance. In my head, I don't exactly stress this. I stress working to be at the best possible level, and in the end who decides who will be the nine is the coach. But I believe that in the year we are in, all players have to strive to be at their best level to arrive at the World Cup and show the best football," concluded the striker.

Brazil's Situation in the Qualifiers

Upcoming games for Brazil

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.