Pedro: De Zerbi is one of the best coaches

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New forward has high praise for his head coach.

Nick Szczepanik

2023-08-07T17:00:00Z

The forward rolled home his penalty to equalise against Vallecano.

Albion new boy Joao Pedro believes that Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi is one of the best coaches in world football.

The Brazilian forward was the club's first signing of the summer when he arrived from Watford and has impressed so far, scoring his second goal of pre-season in the 1-1 draw at home to Rayo Vallecano.

And after the game, he praised the way Albion's Italian head coach sees the game and sets his teams up.

"It's the first time I've trained with a coach like him," he said. "He is, for me, in the top three in the world. Because of how he thinks about football, how he looks at it. I've never seen a coach who coaches like him. He pushes us, in the best way. He helps us a lot."

Roberto De Zerbi's team drew 1-1 against Rayo Vallecano in their final pre-season friendly ahead of the new campaign.

The football Albion have played since De Zerbi took over from Graham Potter last autumn was part of the reason that Pedro, 21, agreed to leave Vicarage Road for Sussex.

"When my agent called me about Brighton I was very happy because they play really well, they play football and that was why I came here," he said.

"How he [De Zerbi] plays is very different from Watford. That was more long ball and counter-attack. Here we think more about playing with the ball and moving at the right time so it's very good for us.

"I like how he helps us and the way he wants us to play. I'm ready to learn more and to help my team-mates. He told me to think about enjoying myself and scoring goals, so that was very simple."

The move to Sussex was made easier by the presence at the club of some familiar faces. Pedro already knew ex-Hornets Danny Welbeck and Pervis Estupinan from his time at Watford, as well as club ambassador Glenn Murray.

Joao also scored from the spot in our 4-3 defeat to Chelsea during the Premier League Summer Series.

"I was with Danny at Watford before so I know him and he knows me. I think we're going to do very well together on the pitch.

"I always look to Danny because he is a great player, he has played for top teams, so I always try to learn from him. He has helped me a lot."

But it was Albion's Ecuadorian left back that the native Portuguese speaker went to first for advice on his move south.

"I spoke to Pervis because he speaks Spanish so it's more easy for me. And he said yes, come to the club because it's a good club and I think it will be very good for you.

"When I knew about the interest from Brighton, I watched them more and learned about how they play to prepare for coming in the summer."

Both his goals, against Chelsea in Philadelphia and against Rayo at the Amex on Sunday, have come from the penalty spot. And he is happy to take on the role of penalty-taker permanently after the departure to Liverpool of Alexis Mac Allister.

"Yes, if the boss calls me, I'm all right to take the penalties. Watford trusted me to take penalties so I'm ready to take them here.

"It was a nice feeling, my first goal in front of the fans in the Amex Stadium."

And those fans clearly enjoyed the goal, not to mention some ambitious runs on goal and a snap shot that whistled just over the crossbar.

"When I came out for the game I could hear they shouted my name, so that was very good and helped me a lot."

Expect plenty more goals and chanting of the name of Joao Pedro before long.