Joao Pedro said having three “world-class” teammates at Chelsea has helped him grow as a number nine.

The 25-year-old raised some eyebrows when he decided to wear Chelsea’s number nine shirt at the start of this season. Historically, wearing the Blues' number nine did not work out well for many, even high-profile centre-forwards. 

Dutch striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was arguably the last truly prolific Chelsea goalscorer with the shirt number, although some would argue that Tammy Abraham did quite well, too, before his eventual transfer to Roma. 

However, the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata, Radamel Falcao, Romelu Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and most recently Liam Delap, all failed to meet expectations while wearing the number nine.

Joao Pedro’s fine start to the campaign, as he jointly leads the Premier League in goal contributions (eight, five goals and three assists) alongside Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, has made all the talk about the curse of Chelsea’s number nine shirt seem silly.

The Brazil international’s goalscoring form should not have been a huge surprise, though, given that he finished last season, which was his debut campaign at the club, with 20 goals and six assists across all competitions.

Joao Pedro credited his seamless integration at Chelsea to having exceptional teammates, including three truly elite ones.

“I think so, yes; especially here at Chelsea, where I'm surrounded by world-class players like Cole Palmer, Reece (James), and Moises Caicedo,” the Brazil international told ESPN when asked whether the good atmosphere at the club has helped his development as a striker.

“I think my adjustment went well because it had been a while since there was a number nine here.

“Ever since my time at Brighton, I'd been keeping an eye on that spot; even when I played against them, I knew it could be an opportunity for me. 

“Thank God, when I arrived, Cole was a great friend to me. He reached out to me and talked to me.”

It is hard to argue that Palmer, James, and Caicedo are among the best players in the world in their positions. Still, it is interesting that their teammates also share how fans view these three players.

Joao Pedro also revealed that his friendship with Palmer started very early, especially since he made it very clear from the start that they were not in direct competition.

“I told him I was coming to help, that I didn't want to take his spot – nothing like that,” the striker said about his early conversation with Palmer.

“And that's where a friendship was born that we carry on both on and off the field.

“I think what helps me a lot, and now Morgan (Rogers) too, is that we have a really great friendship on and off the field; we're always joking around.”

It is worth noting that when Joao Pedro first arrived, it was not clear that he would solely play as a striker.

At his previous club, Brighton & Hove Albion, he spent almost as much time playing as a second striker or a number 10 as he did as a number nine. Even in his first season at Chelsea, he still played in a deeper role on several occasions under Enzo Maresca.

Palmer’s improved fitness and Rogers’ arrival have made it less necessary to move the striker from his best position, and the continuity has benefited Chelsea and Xabi Alonso.