Chelsea's Brazilian striker Joao Pedro is'very hungry' after his World Cup snub, with a quick-fire hat-trick in the team's opening pre-season game impressing new manager Xabi Alonso. The 24-year-old was snapped up from Brighton a year ago and scored 20 goals across all competitions in his first season at Stamford Bridge to be named player of the season by club supporters. But his penalty-box prowess was not enough to book a spot in Brazil's World Cup squad.
Pedro's Performance
Alonso said that Joao Pedro, who bagged a nine-minute hat-trick as a second-half substitute in Chelsea's 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers, had been fired up in training. 'He's very hungry -- Joao is really, really determined to have a great season,' said Alonso. 'After a great last year where he scored many goals, I think that he wants to keep scoring more and more. But we need to help him, as on his own it's not possible.'
Manager's Vision
Alonso emphasized the importance of collective effort: 'He will have the players around him and they need to have this hunger to score as well. It's not just about the striker, but every time that we win and our striker scores, I am happy.' Chelsea are reportedly looking to offload some forwards after the arrival of attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, but Joao Pedro will almost certainly not be one of them.
Team Dynamics
Pedro said he felt liberated playing under former Liverpool star Alonso, who is tasked with getting Chelsea back to the top after their disappointing 10th place last season. 'He's a very open coach. We talk a lot. I feel free,' said the Brazilian. 'When I play in front I move a lot, so he gives that option for me. Sometimes I can play on the left, sometimes in the middle. So that's what I've learned from him. I want to achieve the highest level possible with the team.'
Pre-Season Outlook
Despite some defensive frailties and early season rust, Alonso said his first match in the Chelsea dugout was encouraging with no injuries of note. 'The more situations we have where we are struggling and we find the solutions, the better team we will be. So, for that, this friendly will be useful,' he said. Chelsea's pre-season tour continues with a friendly against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Sydney on Saturday before matches in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia.
