João Pedro spoke to Sky Sports about his attacking partnership with Palmer and Morgan Rogers, as well as his development in the number 9 position. He also discussed the impact of the new coach, reuniting with Welbeck as a teammate, and his expectations for Chelsea's new season.

João, first of all, thank you very much for taking the time. It's always a pleasure to chat with you. We saw another goal-fest (laughs), and you were in a very good position to watch it all unfold up close (laughs). Everyone is talking about the team's attack and how many goals you've scored. Do you think Chelsea has become one of the most entertaining teams to watch this season?

I think the three of us up front have had a very good start. Pedro has played in different positions but adapted very quickly. I think people can expect things from us because we are all very focused on what we need to do. So I think that's why we got into such good form from the start.

Is it enjoyable to play like this as a striker?

Yes, of course. When you score as many goals as we have, it definitely feels very good. I think everyone is very excited now and looking forward to playing. Especially with the Premier League and cup games coming up, it means we'll have more opportunities to score goals. So yes, I think everyone is very excited.

What is the core philosophy the coach has conveyed to you so far?

I think the coach wants us to play closer to each other because he knows that if we can connect and combine, we will be very threatening. So he gives us the freedom to move in different areas of the pitch. I think that's why we've been able to start the season this way.

Specifically, what can Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer bring to your game? How do you think the three of you complement each other?

As I always say, we think about the game in very similar ways, but at the same time, we are different types of players. So I think we can complement each other. For me, when you look at it and have two number 10s like Cole and Morgan behind you, it feels very good. I'm very happy to be able to play with them.

You said you think about the game in similar ways. What exactly do you mean by that? Is it in terms of movement, or do you have similar ideas on the pitch?

Yes, because I think Cole has excellent passing ability, but at the same time, he can also score goals. Morgan is similar, so I think we think about the game in very similar ways. But from another perspective, I'm more of a number 9; I'll take the ball with my back to goal more. Cole is more like a number 10, and Morgan will carry the ball forward more and try to break through. So that's why I say we're similar, but at the same time different.

You just mentioned you're more of a number 9. I know you can play many positions, but I also know you really like playing as a number 9. How do you see your progress as a striker?

I try to improve myself every day because I want to keep getting better. I've had a very good start to the season, but I hope to maintain this form for a long time. We all know that, especially in the Premier League, it's very difficult to score in every game. But I will do my best in every training session to keep myself ready. Because if I only have one chance in a game, I have to take it and score.

So I think I've improved well. My teammates also understand me better now, because the first year at a club is always more difficult. Now we understand each other better, and I hope I can score a lot of goals (laughs).

We were also talking about when you first came here. If you look back now at João Pedro when you first arrived and compare it to yourself now, what do you think is the biggest difference? What aspect do you think you've improved the most in?

I think because I played in the Championship before, the physical intensity there was very high. I played there for a few seasons, so I had to learn how to shield the ball with my back to goal and when to pass. So when I came to the Premier League, I knew I could do both of those things. I can hold the ball with my back to goal, and I can also drop deeper to get involved in the game and link up with teammates.

So I think the Championship really helped me improve a lot. When I first arrived at Watford, the physicality was very difficult for me, and later I started playing more on the wing or as a number 10. I think all these experiences ultimately helped me become the player I am today.

You also mentioned that other players are more familiar with your style of play now. You had a very good season last season, and this season has started equally well. You also won Player of the Month—congratulations.

Thank you.

How special is it for you to start this season with such an excellent performance, especially considering the disappointment of not being able to participate in the World Cup this summer?

I think especially my teammates trust me a lot. Chelsea also trusts me a lot, and the club gives me everything I need here, so I'm very happy here. I think that's why I can play freely here and truly enjoy the game when I'm on the pitch with my teammates.

As I said, I didn't participate in the World Cup last summer, so I had time to spend with my family and time to go back to Brazil and enjoy myself. You know what it's like to always be here. But I really enjoy my life at Chelsea. I think this is a very good opportunity for me to show my football. Hopefully, this season will be better than last season.

Looking at the positive side, although not being able to participate in the World Cup was clearly disappointing, it also gave you the opportunity to have a full pre-season with the new head coach. How much do you think you benefited from that?

I think it was very good to be able to understand his philosophy through pre-season. However, before pre-season started, when I was still in Brazil, we had actually talked a bit. So being able to actually meet him and spend some time with him during pre-season was very helpful for me, because it allowed me to understand what he wanted me to do on the pitch.

He is a very good coach. He gives me a lot of confidence and tries to help me every day.

And he was also a very talented player (laughs), with excellent technique...

Yes, exactly.

So, how much does it help to be coached by someone who was so technically gifted as a player? You know what I mean.

I think because he used to play himself, he can understand what we think as players. This makes our lives easier. He is really excellent. In training, if he occasionally plays with us for a while, you can still see that he still has that ability.

That touch.

Yes, yes. He is indeed different. But he is also a very good person, and I think everyone here likes him.

Everyone is obviously talking about your front three now, but I want to ask you about another attacking player. Because you and Welbeck are teammates again...

Yes.

This is the third time (laughs). It seems like you two are inseparable. How happy are you to be teammates with him again?

I've already told Danny. I told him: "Danny, this is really special for me, because when I first came to England, I couldn't speak English, and he was always trying to help me integrate better with the other teammates."

When I went to Brighton, he kept pushing me and urging me to improve. Now that he's here, he told me again: "Hey, João, you're at Chelsea now, but I'm still going to keep pushing you." (laughs)

I just told him: "No problem, no problem."

But for me, wow, he is a very, very good player and a very, very good person. I'm really happy he's here.

Do you think this is the best atmosphere in the Chelsea squad since you joined last season? Because it feels like the whole club is now filled with very positive emotions.

I think everyone is very excited. It's a new season. We went through some difficulties last season, and a lot happened. But now it's a new season, we have a new coach, and everyone feels like they're starting over. So yes, I think we can do very well this season.

How high can the team's goals be this season?

We'll see at the end of the season (laughs).

AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com