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

João, thank you so much for your time. Great to chat with you. We've witnessed another goalfest (laughs), and you could say you're in a good position, almost watching it all unfold up close (laughs). Everyone's talking about your team's attack and how many goals you've scored. Do you think Chelsea has become one of the most entertaining teams for everyone to watch this season?

I think the three of us up front have started very well. The same goes for me—I'm playing in a different position but have adapted very quickly. I think people can expect something from us because we're all very focused on what we need to do. So I think that's why we've made such a strong start.

As a striker, is it enjoyable to play like this?

Yes, absolutely. When you're scoring this many goals, it feels great. I think everyone is very excited right now and eager to play. Especially with the Premier League and cup matches coming up, it means we'll have more opportunities to score. So yes, I think everyone is very excited.

What core philosophy has the manager conveyed to you so far?

I think the manager wants us to play closer together, because he knows if we can connect and play as a unit, we'll be very threatening. So he's given us the freedom to move into different areas of the pitch. I think that's why we've been able to start the season like this.

Specifically, what do 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 a very similar way, but at the same time, we're different types of players. So I think we complement each other well. For me, when you look behind you and you have two attacking midfielders like Cole and Morgan, it feels incredible. I really enjoy playing with them.

You mentioned that you think about the game in a similar way—what exactly do you mean by that? Is it about movement, or do you have similar ideas on the pitch?

Yes, I think Cole has excellent passing ability, but at the same time, he can also score goals. Morgan is similar in that respect, so I think we approach the game in a very similar way. But from another perspective, I'm more of a number 9—I'll hold the ball more. Cole is more like a number 10, and Morgan will carry the ball forward more and break in behind. So that's why I say we're similar but also different.

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

I try to improve every day because I want to keep getting better. I've had a very strong start to the season, but I hope this form continues. We all know, especially in the Premier League, it's very difficult to score in every game. But I'll do my best in every training session to keep myself sharp. Because if I only get one chance in a match, I need to take it and score.

So I think I've improved a lot. My teammates understand me better now too, because your first year at a club is always harder. Now we understand each other better, and I hope I can score many goals (laughs).

We've just talked about when you first arrived here. If you look back at João Pedro when he first came here, and then look at yourself now, what's the biggest difference for you? In what areas do you feel you've improved the most?

I think because I used to play in the Championship, where the physical intensity is very high. I played there for a few seasons, so I had to learn how to hold the ball with my back to goal and when to release it. So when I came to the Premier League, I knew I could do both. I could hold the ball and drop deeper to participate in play and connect with my teammates.

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

You also mentioned that other players are now more familiar with your style of play. You played very well last season, and you've had an equally impressive start this season. You also won Player of the Month—congratulations.

Thank you.

Especially considering the disappointment of missing the World Cup last summer, how special is it for you to start this season with such an exceptional performance?

I think mainly because my teammates really trust me. Chelsea trusts me, and the club has given me everything I need here, so I'm very happy. I think that's why I can play comfortably here and really enjoy myself 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 how it feels to be here all the time. But I'm really enjoying my life at Chelsea. I think this is a fantastic opportunity for me to showcase my football. I hope this season will be better than last season.

If we look on the bright side, although missing the World Cup was clearly disappointing, it did give you the chance to do a full preseason with the new manager. How much do you think you benefited from that?

I think it was great to understand his philosophy through preseason training. But even before preseason started, when I was still in Brazil, we actually had some early conversations. So being able to really meet him and spend time with him during preseason was very helpful for me, because that way I could understand what he wants me to do on the pitch.

He's a fantastic manager. He's given me a lot of confidence and tries to help me every day.

And he was such a talented player (laughs), with incredible technique...

Yes, he really was.

So how beneficial is it to be coached by someone so technically brilliant as a player? You know what I mean.

I think because he was a player himself, he can understand what we, as players, think. In that way, he makes things easier for us. He's really amazing. During training, if he occasionally plays with us for a bit, you can still see that he's got it. That quality.

*That touch.

Yes, yes. He's different. But he's also a great person, and I think everyone here likes him.

Now everyone is clearly talking about your three forwards, but I also want to ask you about another attacking player. You and Welbeck are teammates again...

Yes.

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

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

After I arrived at Brighton, he kept pushing me and encouraging me to improve. Now he's here, and he said to me again: "Hey, João, you're at Chelsea now, but I'll keep pushing you." (laughs)

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

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

Do you think this is the best period for team atmosphere at Chelsea since you joined last season? Because it feels like the whole club is now filled with very positive emotion.

I think everyone is very excited. It's a new season. Last season we went through some difficulties, and a lot happened. But now it's a new season, we have a new manager, and everyone feels a sense of making a fresh start. So yes, I think we can perform well this season.

How high are the team's targets this season?

Let's see at the end of the season (laughs).

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