According to a report by Football London on Friday, October 23, 2026, Joao Pedro has revealed how Cole Palmer helped him settle at Chelsea, crediting the England international’s friendship and manager Xabi Alonso’s coaching for his impressive performances this season.

The Brazilian striker believes the support he received at Stamford Bridge has played an important role in his development since joining the club from Brighton last year.

Pedro quickly established himself as a key member of the squad, helping Chelsea win the Club World Cup before recording 15 goals and eight assists in 35 Premier League appearances. His performances earned him the club’s Player of the Season award.

The 25-year-old has continued his impressive form under Alonso, scoring five goals and providing three assists in seven appearances across all competitions this season.

Speaking to ESPN, Pedro praised the atmosphere in the Chelsea dressing room and highlighted Palmer’s role in helping him adapt to his new surroundings.

"Even when I played against them, I knew it could be an opportunity for me, and, thank God, when I arrived, Cole was a great friend to me; he reached out to me and talked to me. I told him I was coming to help, that I didn't want to take his spot, nothing like that."

Pedro added that their relationship has grown beyond football, with Morgan Rogers also becoming part of their close-knit group.

He explained that his teammates welcomed him warmly and were always willing to help him adjust, making his transition into the squad much easier.

The Brazilian also praised Alonso for giving him the confidence to perform at a higher level.

"At Chelsea, I feel very comfortable. It's a different season, with a coach who gives me a lot of confidence, and I think that's a big part of my performance so far this season."

Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 formation has allowed Palmer and Rogers to operate behind Pedro, providing the striker with additional support in attacking areas.

Explaining how the system has benefited him, Pedro said: "I think it does make it easier. I have Cole and Morgan there to help me, to feed me the passes. You can see that the start of the season has been really good. So I think it's going to be a really good season for us."