The 28-year-old £21m signing enjoyed a Man of the Match debut, scoring and assisting in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over West Brom – their only win so far this season.
Pedro spoke exclusively to Spanish newspaper Marca and revealed his reasons for choosing Chelsea over Manchester United.
The Red Devils seemed to be stalling over paying the extra couple of million for the £21m signing but ended up paying £36m for an unknown 19-year-old French striker, Anthony Martial.
Pedro denied that his decision was down to Louis van Gaal’s treatment of his former Barcelona teammate Victor Valdes.
“No. It’s true that I don’t like that treatment for my colleagues, especially for Victor, who has been a reference as a teammate and as a professional.
“I don’t believe it’s fair but it didn’t influence my decision.”
“I just saw that things weren’t progressing with Manchester United, that they were taking too long and I needed to get started with a team. Chelsea were more decisive.”
Currently on international duty with the Spanish national team, Pedro admitted that he spoke to Victor Valdes at length about Manchester United.
“Yes, a lot,” he said. “He told me that the club [United] was very good and there was a great fan following, that his only problem was the situation with the coach.”
When asked if Valdes recommended that he not sign for United because of Van Gaal, Pedro answered: “Absolutely not. He spoke very well of the club. It’s a great club but I believe I have chosen well to join Chelsea, I’m convinced.
“I had an important chat with [Chelsea coach Jose] Mourinho, who told me that he wanted me, that with me they would have a better team and he said many things that I liked to hear.
“That combined with the possibility to live in London was what made me decide.”
Pedro put pen-to-paper on a four year deal at Stamford Bridge and spoke of his happiness at the club already.
“From the first moment, the treatment received has been really good from everyone,” he said. “That has helped me to adapt really fast and well.
“I believe I have made the right choice to join Chelsea, I’m convinced. I have adapted very well. It was tough to leave [Barca]. It was a strange feeling as I had been many years at the club.
He also hailed his new manager Jose Mourinho, who supposedly treats Pedro “like one of the family”.
“When you are face to face, although there are people that might think otherwise, Mourinho changes a lot,” he added. “He treats you like one of the family.
“He likes, he values and respects his players a lot. He is also demanding. When he loses, we all know he has a lot of character, a big winning mentality.
“His criticism is only to reinforce and improve what we do wrong and we don’t have to interpret it as something negative. Since my arrival I have felt comfortable alongside him.
“I understand that Barca fans might feel upset but what I want is to play at Chelsea and for the team to do well.”
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