Chelsea summer signing Pedro admits struggling to adapt to 'very physical and competitive' Premier League

By Rory Brigstock-barron For Mailonline

Published: 04:25 EST, 19 October 2015 | Updated: 10:28 EST, 19 October 2015

Pedro has admitted he is struggling to adapt to the Premier League after making his summer move to Chelsea from Barcelona.

The World Cup and Champions League winner made a dream start to his Blues career, scoring on his debut against West Brom, but has since failed to make his mark.

But the £21million man, who Jose Mourinho stole from under Manchester United's nose in August, said he was still getting used to the physical side of English football.

Pedro joined Chelsea from Barcelona for £21million in the summer but has only scored one goal since arriving

Pedro joined Chelsea from Barcelona for £21million in the summer but has only scored one goal since arriving

The Spanish forward (right) said that English football was 'very physical' and different to what he was used to

The Spanish forward (right) said that English football was 'very physical' and different to what he was used to

Pedro (centre) made a dream start to his Chelsea career, scoring on his debut against West Brom in August 

Pedro (centre) made a dream start to his Chelsea career, scoring on his debut against West Brom in August 

'It’s hard. It’s very different to what I’m used to [at Barcelona],' Pedro told the Mirror.

'But, little by little, I'm integrating more, adapting with my team-mates and the team and that's the most important thing.

'Everything is different, very different to the football I'm used to. I think there are a lot of differences, very physical football, very strong.

'A lot of players attack and it's always complicated. All the games are competitive and very balanced.'

Eden Hazard came off the bench for Chelsea against Aston Villa after being left out of the starting line-up

Eden Hazard came off the bench for Chelsea against Aston Villa after being left out of the starting line-up

Jose Mourinho said the winger was left out because Chelsea have been conceding too many goals

Jose Mourinho said the winger was left out because Chelsea have been conceding too many goals

The 28-year-old's slow start is perhaps less surprising than the radical slump in form of last season's Premier League Player of the Year Eden Hazard, who has been dropped from the Chelsea first-team.

Mourinho said that Hazard would play second fiddle to Pedro and Willian until he proved he could keep up his defensive responsibilities.

'I left out Hazard because we are conceding lots of goals,' said Mourinho.

'We need to defend better. We need our midfielders to be just worried in the central area of the pitch, not worrying about compensation on the left or right.

'Playing with Willian and Pedro, the midfielders don't have to move left or right. They know those parts are controlled.

'It was leaving super quality on the bench, but bringing tactical discipline and hoping the team could be solid.

'I will continue that way, or he comes in our direction and tries to emulate the same work that Willian and Pedro put in.'

Comments (289)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now