José Mourinho has admitted his surprise and delight to discover Pedro was looking for a new challenge after a decade at Barcelona, with the Chelsea manager convinced his club has secured “one of the best attacking players in the world”.
Pedro, who had been the subject of protracted interest from Manchester United this summer, is in contention to make his debut for the champions at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday following his £21.1m arrival. The World Cup and European Championship winner had claimed 15 major trophies at Barça, though Mourinho insisted the player’s decision to seek a fresh start was an indication of ambition.
“We have got one of the best attacking players in the world, a player with lots of experience and with something that I really like very, very much: the desire to leave a giant club, one of the best clubs in the world, a club that normally when you are there, you don’t want to leave,” said Mourinho.
“For a player like him, loved at that club and who loves the club, to want to leave because he is looking for something more for his career... that is an evident sign of ambition.
“He wants to play every game. He’s won everything playing with Messi, Iniesta, all these stars. But he wants more, and I’m really happy with that kind of attitude. He comes to play and try and win, and try to enjoy, and not to have a holiday.”
Mourinho admitted surprise that Barcelona had been willing to lose the 28-year-old this summer and, despite being aware of United’s interest, had urged his own club to act swiftly to secure the player once his availability was confirmed.
“It’s a question of opportunity,” said the Chelsea manager. “The transfer window is a period full of rumours, sometimes with clubs or agents working [towards their own means], and many times it’s not true. When you realise something is true, sometimes unexpected things can happen.
“To be fair, when I saw Pedro playing in the European Super Cup or in the Spanish Super Cup like it’s the last game of his career, I always thought that, with that commitment and attitude, he would stay in Barcelona for sure. So when we knew he was that kind of professional who gives everything but in his mind he clearly wants to leave, then it’s an opportunity that the window creates for you. And we, as a club, decided not to lose out. We tried to get him and then, obviously, we are happy that the player chose us.
“Everything started with the fact that, finally, we understood the player was ready to leave the club of his dreams, the club of his heart, the club where he had played since he was a kid and where he’d won absolutely everything. When I’m told a player wants to leave Barcelona, Real Madrid, these giant clubs, I always put a question mark: I ask myself why he wants to leave. Normally there are lots of rumours and it’s never true but it was true here. He loves Iniesta, Messi, Neymar, all these guys who played with him all these years but this is a moment to leave his comfort zone for a new challenge, a new club in a new country, a new culture. I’m really happy with this approach.”
Chelsea retain an interest in the Everton centre-half John Stones, though Mourinho suggested they could yet add another body before the transfer deadline on 1 September. “In these last two weeks it’s an opportunity window,” he added. “It depends on whether you can do something you really believe you cannot pass up. Let’s see what can happen.”
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