Striker was “surprised” that Liam Rosenior knew this about him already | OneFootball

Joao Pedro has been speaking about his new manager Liam Rosenior, who has only just arrived at Stamford Bridge but had clearly already been doing his homework.

“I knew him from before, I played against him when he was at Hull City and I was at Watford,” said Joao Pedro in an interview on the club’s official website.

“He knew everything about me. He surprised me a little bit but when you get feedback from the manager, it’s good. He told me he wants to help me achieve what I want to, and to be better every day.

“He wants the striker to be in the middle of the pitch to create more space for the no.10, and without the ball to run and press always. He always wants to play with intensity.”

Rosenior has had four games in two weeks since taking over as Chelsea boss, and will barely have had a moment to work tactically with these guys.

Joao Pedro needs to do more to secure Chelsea place

Joao Pedro sinks deeper into despair. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

JP still has an uphill battle to get starting minutes, long term, we think. Despite a goal on Saturday, Liam Delap still seems to offer more than the Brazilian in stretching defences and pressing. Meanwhile both Cole Palmer and often Enzo Fernandez will be ahead of him in the queue for minutes at number ten.

The fact that he can play either 9 or 10 means he’s guaranteed plenty of appearances, but right now it’s hard to argue he’s first choice in either position.

In other news…

Chelsea are easing their way into January, but it’s in the summer that the real big moves could happen. One has been suggested which we don’t yet believe, but things could change as time passes.

Raheem Sterling is a forgotten man at Chelsea, but some of the moves to recall players from loan this month are leading to speculation that the winger could be sent to an old friend in Serie A.