Joao Pedro: Chelsea’s front three 'very special' and aiming for trophies under Xabi Alonso

# Match reaction and immediate verdict Joao Pedro spoke after Chelsea's 3-2 Premier League win at Fulham, a result that marked the opening victory under new manager Xabi Alonso. Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers all scored in the game, and Pedro described their combination as "very special."

# What Pedro said about the front three Pedro singled out Palmer and Rogers by name: "Cole and Morgan are special players. Everyone knows that. I'm very grateful to play with them because I know if I make some runs, if you know Cole, Morgan's going to give the ball to me and I have to be ready to score. So it's very special." He added that movement and mutual understanding make it difficult for defenders to pick up a single player.

# Alonso's role and squad context

# Ambitions and focus Pedro framed Chelsea's objectives clearly: "When you play for Chelsea, you always need to look for that (the biggest trophies), and I think we've already had a great game to show our power and hopefully we can continue like this in the season." He stressed a step-by-step approach: focus on the Premier League and cup competitions and use extra training time now that Chelsea have no European fixtures.

# The No.9 shirt and personal approach This season Pedro has taken Chelsea's No.9 shirt — a number carried by many high-profile forwards who previously struggled at the club. Pedro dismissed the historic pressure attached to the number: "I just try to do my job. I don't believe in that. Every player is different. I think now I know my responsibility in the group, but I don't think numbers can decide this pressure. I just try to enjoy and try to help my team every game."

# Practical implications for the season The combination of players, managerial style and available training time presents Chelsea with an attack that, in Pedro's view, can produce consistent goal threats. If their movement and passing keep producing goals, the team will be positioned to contest league and domestic cup honours. Pedro frames their start as a foundation to build on rather than a final statement.

# Short closing summary Pedro's comments after the Fulham match underline optimism about Chelsea's attacking chemistry under Xabi Alonso, a clear target on trophies, and a pragmatic personal mindset focused on contribution rather than legacy or shirt superstition.