Brazilian striker Joao Pedro needed just 31 seconds to announce his readiness to rewrite Chelsea's history. Elegantly lobbing the ball over Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno, the 24-year-old forward laid the groundwork for the Blues' 3-2 victory in Xabi Alonso's official debut at Craven Cottage.
The start of the season coincided with the Brazilian receiving the prestigious number nine jersey, along with a new long-term contract until 2034 under improved terms. BBC football reporter Nizaar Kinsella has delved into the striker's journey and assessed his chances of overcoming the psychological burden of the iconic shirt.
Since the departure of Dutchman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in 2004, the number nine at Stamford Bridge has become synonymous with disappointment. Didier Drogba shone in the number 11 shirt, while Diego Costa led the club to titles wearing number 19. In contrast, a string of top strikers—including Romelu Lukaku, Alvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuain, Radamel Falcao, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang—fell short while donning the infamous nine. The previous holder, Liam Delap, managed just one goal in the Premier League last season and is now in talks to leave for Nottingham Forest.
Pedro, however, categorically dismisses any mystique surrounding the numbers:
I don't believe in such things. I don't think the numbers on the back can dictate the level of pressure.
Acquired last summer from Brighton for £55 million, plus £5 million in bonuses, Joao Pedro scored 20 goals in all competitions during his debut campaign, becoming the first forward at the club since Diego Costa to reach that milestone and claiming the club's Player of the Season award.
His life journey has forged an unyielding character:
- Overcoming adversity: The player's father spent nearly eight years in prison, so Joao was raised by his mother, Flavia Junqueira, and grandmother. In the Fluminense academy, he faced criticism over his physicality, which brought him to tears, prompting his mother to spend her last money on hiring a personal trainer, Rodrigo Goncalves.
- Physical transformation: After moving to Watford at the end of 2019, Joao Pedro used the lockdown period for intensive weight training with Goncalves, gaining 8 kg of lean muscle mass before his Premier League debut.
- Leadership in the dressing room: Alongside Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, and captain Reece James, he has become a pivotal figure in reshaping the club's culture, bridging gaps between language groups, taking on media responsibilities, and even featuring in a promotional short film for Madonna's Confessions II.
- Responding to setbacks: Missing out on Brazil's World Cup squad prompted the striker to quietly work hard in Rio de Janeiro, culminating in a superb run of eight goals in seven pre-season friendlies.
Xabi Alonso demands that the forward trio of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, and record signing Morgan Rogers—who cost £117 million—should embrace maximum responsibility and lead the team forward. With the Brazilian showing stellar form and mental resilience, there's every reason to believe that the number nine curse at Stamford Bridge may finally be lifted.
