Pedro confirms he held talks with Barcelona in the summer to return
Chelsea star Pedro admits that he held initial talks with his former club Barcelona over a return to Camp Nou. The 28-year-old joined The Blues on a 4-year deal last summer for £21.4 million.
He left Barcelona in search of more game time, as the Spaniard was behind Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in the pecking order and breaking into the first team ahead of that trio of world-class players is easier said than done.
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Manchester United were interested in securing his services, but he moved to the West London club. Pedro scored on his debut for Chelsea in a 3-2 win over West Bromwich, but he endured a tough campaign with The Blues that made him think of a possible return to his old club.
“I spoke to [Barcelona president Josep Maria] Bartomeu and it looked as though I’d return to Barcelona last summer, but I think the talks were given more importance than they really had,” Pedro told Catalan radio station RAC-1.
“It is difficult to return, even with everything you remember from your old club. If you asked me if I’d like to go back, my answer is obvious, because it is a great club where I have great teammates and a fan base that appreciates me. I’ve always said I’d like to retire at Barcelona but it is very difficult, almost impossible at this point,” said the Spaniard who joined Barcelona at 17.
Pedro will be hoping that he can rejuvenate his Chelsea career under new boss Antonio Conte and the signs have been good this season, having made three starts for the club in the Premier League this season.
The Spaniard scored inside the first 30 seconds against Manchester United last week as Chelsea recorded an emphatic 4-0 victory.
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The 28-year-old made 40 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last season and found the back of the net 8 times.
Pedro won 5 La Liga titles, 3 UEFA Champions league crowns and 2 FIFA club world clubs during his time with Barcelona. He made 321 appearances for the club netting 99 goals and providing 66 goals. In the 2009-10 season, he scored in six different official club tournaments and became the first player in history to achieve that feat.
Pedro and Chelsea have a tough trip to Southampton in this round of fixtures in the Premier League.