Barcelona Chelsea forward Pedro was linked with a move to several clubs last summer: Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal. In the end, it was the Blues who signed him as United Executive Vice President Ed Woodward couldn’t/didn’t want to get a deal done after visiting Barcelona with the intention of completing a potential signing.
Stamford Bridge triggered his £21 million release clause, and closed the deal but Pedro struggled in West London last season.
He only scored eight goals in all competitions for the Blues in 2015-16. Now he’s pining for a return to Barcelona.
Pedro said he was no regrets about joining Chelsea, but he hopes to retire as a member of Barcelona, and he’s already taken steps to try and initiate a return to the Camp Nou.
“Hopefully [I can return to Barcelona], I know it’s difficult, I spoke with the president when we saw each other at the Cup final and I also spoke with all the people who love me there,” he told beIN Sports.
“It’s complicated, but I’ve always said I would like to retire at Barca.”
“The years have passed and Barca have some of the best players in the world, it’s a very demanding club and coming back is complicated, but I can’t rule it out.”
“I spent 11 or 12 years in Barcelona, my family are there and a lot of my friends, as well. The fans love me a lot, I felt valued by the club, and it’s always very tough to leave the club of your dreams.”
“Ultimately, I had to make that decision because I saw that my chances had become exhausted.”
Pedro scored 99 goals in 321 appearances across all competitions for the Catalan giants (2008-2015). The winger won five La Liga titles and the UEFA Champions League three times. During the 2009–10 season, he became the first player in history to score in six different official club competitions in one season.
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