Chelsea's new £ 60m striker Joao Pedro joined Brighton and Hove Albion after missing the last two games of the Seagulls of the season after a training ground with ex-team matte Jan Paul van Hecke
Joao Pedro broke his silence on his bust with former teammate Jan Paul van Hecke.
Brazilian striker Pedro was at Axed for the last two games of Brighton of the Premier League season after a training ground with Van Hecke. That row was in the background when Brighton then sold Pedro to Chelsea for £ 60 million and it cast a shadow at its exit.
But Pedro insisted that it was only two devoted players who wanted to win and he also has nothing to apologize, but only good memories of Brighton.
Pedro said: “I think the people who know me know my character, but when two players want to win, these things happen and this is normal.
“They were only two players at the moment, we both wanted to win. But as I said, I now play for Chelsea, so I just want to talk about Chelsea. I had a good time at Brighton, but now I am in Chelsea, I just want to talk about Chelsea.”
Chelsea meets Fluminense in the semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup, with former Blues defender Thiago Silva who leads the Brazilian side.
Silva is now 40 and still goes strong when he prepares for his former club in the Metlife Stadium, but remains regular contact with Chelsea.
Brazilian legend Silva, who had four glorious years with Stamford Bridge, made a recent visit to the training field and joked that he can give some internal knowledge about the tactics of Enzo Maresca.
Silva said: “I try to help the coaching staff with small details, things that will stay between us. I said earlier that I was in London so long ago to visit my children, went to a number of training sessions, you know. I don't know Maresca so well, but I know that many of the players there, and I talk almost every week, some are really close to me.
“I am glad I have this matchup, and it will be a special day for me, but it will be even more special if we manage to continue.”
Silva won the Champions League during his time in Chelsea and the fans still sing his name. “He came from PSG to win the Champions League.” Now, incredible, he could help Fluminese Chelsea too knock -out and then possible PSG in the final.
He added: “It means a lot. Thank goodness I was able to build a nice story with both clubs, Chelsea and PSG. And now, in what you could call the final phase of my career, I still live important moments and try to help in the best way.
“Like I said, it would be special to eliminate Chelsea, even with all the love I have for them, but when you are on the field, you have to concentrate on your own team.
“I am just very grateful for everything I have experienced there. It was a very special team in my life, where I won one of the biggest titles of my career and have now confronted them, will certainly not be easy now.
“After the tournament, my support for Chelsea and PSG will always be there. I am grateful to those clubs forever, I did everything I could while I was there, and I will continue to do the same for Fluminense. Hopefully we can get this qualification.”