João Pedro says he is "surrounded by the right people" at Chelsea, and that feeling is why he chose to sign a new contract rather than consider a move away. Late last month, Chelsea confirmed the Brazil international had extended his deal through to 2034, adding an extra year onto his original contract, which ran until 2033, along with improved terms.
The new deal followed interest from Barcelona during the summer transfer window. According to football.london, the Catalan club registered their desire to sign João Pedro, but Chelsea quickly made clear the forward was considered untouchable and unavailable at any price. He had just been named the club's Player of the Season after scoring 15 Premier League goals in his first campaign at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea backed that stance by rewarding their new No. 9 with a pay rise and a longer contract. Reflecting on the decision in a post on LinkedIn, João Pedro explained why he chose to stay.
João Pedro's Own Words
"Joining Chelsea Football Club was a huge moment for me, and looking back at everything that has happened since, I'm proud of how far we've come," the 24-year-old wrote. "I knew I was joining one of the biggest clubs in the world, with huge ambition and a special history. What I didn't know was how quickly the club, the people here and life in London would become such an important part of my life."
He went on to list some of the highlights of his time at the club so far. "Since then, I've experienced some incredible moments in a Chelsea shirt. Winning the FIFA Club World Cup, having a season I'm proud of, being voted Player of the Season by our supporters and having the pride of becoming Chelsea's number 9 are memories I'll always carry with me. But this isn't just about what we've already achieved."
"For me, making a decision like this comes down to more than what is happening in the moment," he continued. "It's about looking at where you are, what you still want to achieve and whether the environment around you is helping you get there. I think there is a lot to consider when deciding whether to stay or take on something new. 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."
He concluded: "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. That's why I'm so proud to have committed my future to Chelsea and to continue this journey with the club."
Strong Start Interrupted by Injury
João Pedro has begun this campaign in excellent form, registering six direct goal contributions in four Premier League appearances, made up of three goals and three assists. However, he sat out Chelsea's loss to Brentford on Friday because of a knee problem, an issue that also forced him to withdraw from the Brazil squad for the current international window.
