Chelsea Transfer News: Pedro Misses Lionel Messi, Talks Jose Mourinho After Move

New Chelsea forward Pedro has admitted it was a tough decision to leave Barcelona in the summer transfer window and revealed that he misses former team-mate Lionel Messi.

After prolonged frustration at being sidelined behind Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in the Barca attacking department, Pedro made a £21 million switch to Stamford Bridge in August.

In a refreshingly candid interview, the 28-year-old World Cup winner picked out his desire to play as the key reason for his switch, but it was clearly not an easy decision to leave Camp Nou after more than a decade, per Spanish outlet El Pais (h/t Marc Williams of the Daily Star):

"

It would have been easy to stay at Barca, appear in the team photo, keep winning titles and earning money. I had a good life, but I felt I should leave. My life was comfortable off the pitch, but I wanted to keep playing. Let's see how it works out. 

Lionel Messi is an excellent team-mate, he's a fantastic guy. We lived through a lot together, a lot of games, a lot of goals - he knows me well. I'm going to miss him a lot.

"

Chelsea did not bring in all the players they wanted in the summer transfer window—as noted by Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe—but the signing of Pedro was quite a coup:

Per Sky Sports' Guillem Balague, the Spaniard seemed destined for a move to the Blues' Premier League rivals Manchester United.

But Chelsea swooped in and sealed a very reasonable deal for a creative and experienced player who is also a valuable asset in front of goal.

Pedro has provided a goal and an assist in his two Premier League appearances for Chelsea to date and has been one of the few bright spots in a tricky start to the season for the west London club.

As well as United's interest, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was also a potential roadblock in the signing of Pedro given the Portuguese's chequered history with Barca from his time in charge at Real Madrid.

Any manager of Real is never going to be popular in Barcelona, but Mourinho made things even worse in the 2011 Spanish Super Cup, when he poked Barca's then-assistant boss, Tito Vilanova, in the eye.

However, Pedro defended Mourinho and said he feels comfortable working under the 52-year-old, per MailOnline's Matt Maltby:

"

The past is there and there are people who will not forgive what happened, but athletes have a different way of valuing things. The truth is that one has an image of [Mourinho] that when you know him, changes a lot. It's not what it seems. I like the way Mourinho works. I feel comfortable. He has a positive and winning mentality. I am delighted because I like nothing better than winning.

"

Pedro will rejoin the Chelsea squad following the international break, during which he appeared for Spain in Euro 2016 qualifiers.

With only four points gained from four matches, the Blues need to put in a big performance away to Everton on Saturday. In Pedro, they seem to have a player raring to make an impact in the Premier League.