Pedro reveals Valdes situation at Manchester United did not affect his decision to join Chelsea

The Spanish trio had a spell together at Barcelona

Chelsea new boy Pedro has denied reports that his decision to sign for the London club was influenced by former Barcelona team-mate Victor Valdes’ mistreatment at Manchester United, as the forward told Marca, ESPN reported. However, he did admit that he spoke ‘a lot’ with the Spanish custodian before putting pen to paper with the Blues.

The 28-year-old looked set to make the move to play under Louis van Gaal but a last minute U-turn meant that he landed at Stamford Bridge and made his debut for the defending champions within days of the move. He had a great opening with them as Jose Mourinho’s side earned their first win of the season during which Pedro was on target.

When the former Barcelona player was asked explicitly if the tension between Valdes and his coach was a factor that influenced his transfer decision, Pedro explained that while he did not like the way his compatriot was treated, it was not a determining factor for him.

“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,” he said.

He also added: “I just saw that Manchester didn't take that step, that they were taking too long and I needed a team to start. Chelsea were more decisive.”

Valdes spoke well of Manchester United

Victor Valdes has a fractured relationship with United coach Louis van Gaal

However, the Spaniard did speak to the goalkeeper while considering the offer to join United. Valdes had good things to say about the Red Devils, despite his strained relationship with the coach.

“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,” Pedro said.

When quizzed about anything the United keeper had told him to deter him from joining the club, Pedro denied any such conversation, saying, “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 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 will never celebrate a goal against Barcelona

Pedro returned to Barcelona to officially bid goodbye to his former team-mates and the club

The Spaniard who earned a 4-year contract with Chelsea has fit in well with the club and his team-mates. He only had good feedback from his initial weeks but also spoke about the difficulty of leaving Barcelona.

He said: “From the first moment, the treatment received has been really good from everyone. 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.

“After the Champions League [final] I explained to the coach [Luis Enrique] my situation and the fact that I had not had much continuity.

It was a move that Pedro had to make to ensure that he could play regularly. He spoke about the need for continuity and how it’s difficult for a person of his capabilities to displace the likes of Messi, Neymar and Suarez in the starting XI.

“At the start of preseason I told him that I had decided to leave. He understood and supported me. Barca has a spectacular attacking trio [Lionel Messi,Neymar and Luis Suarez]. At Barca it's always difficult to play,” he said

“More than competing with them, what has been the problem is not having continuity. Had I achieved that, all would have been different.

“But I will never celebrate a goal against Barca, neither in the Camp Nou nor on the Chelsea ground. I've been very happy - thanks to this club I have won and achieved everything. I would never do it."

Mourinho treats players like family

Pedro scored on his debut for Chelsea

Pedro has come up against Mourinho on a number of occasions in the past as the Portuguese manager formerly managed Barcelona’s bitter rivals Real Madrid. Some amount of hostility between the two would not be unexpected, but the Spanish forward praised his former foe and spoke about how he would understand if Barca fans felt upset by his move.

“When you are face to face, although there are people that might think otherwise, Mourinho changes a lot. 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.”