Joao Pedro began his Chelsea FC career with a goal just 31 seconds into a 3-2 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday. The 24-year-old striker, handed the club's number nine shirt, scored under new manager Xabi Alonso in his first game in charge, as reported by BBC Sport Football.

Chelsea currently sit sixth in the Premier League with three points from one game, having scored three goals and conceded two. Their next challenge is a home match against league leaders Brighton on 30 August. Cole Palmer is the team's top scorer so far this season with one goal.

Who is Chelsea's new number nine?

Joao Pedro joined Chelsea from Brighton last summer for a fee of £55 million, which could rise to £60 million with add-ons. He recently signed a new contract that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2034 on improved terms. The Brazilian arrives with strong credentials, having scored 20 goals in all competitions last season. He is the first Chelsea striker to reach that mark since Diego Costa managed it nine years ago.

He inherits a shirt number with a troubled recent history at the club. High-profile forwards like Romelu Lukaku, Alvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuain, Radamel Falcao, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all struggled while wearing it. The last occupant, Liam Delap, scored only one Premier League goal last season and is now in talks with Nottingham Forest over a departure. Even non-strikers like midfielder Steve Sidwell and defender Khalid Boulahrouz have worn the number nine. Tammy Abraham performed well in it before his move to Roma.

Joao Pedro dismisses the idea of a curse. "I don't believe in that," he said. "I don't think numbers can decide this pressure."

What is Joao Pedro's background?

His journey to west London began in Ribeirao Preto, a nine-hour drive inland from Sao Paulo. He is the son of Flavia Junqueira and former Botafogo footballer Jose Joao de Jesus, known as Chicao, who spent around eight years in prison after being charged as an accessory to murder. His parents later separated. Scouted by Fluminense, Joao Pedro started as a defensive midfielder before moving forward.

His mother, Flavia, left her job and family to move to Rio for his development. When academy coaches said he "wasn't strong enough," she hired personal trainer Rodrigo Goncalves. "If I gave him one thing, it is to fight for what you want all the time," Flavia Junqueira said.

Watford's South America scout Rafa Monfort spotted him, and a crucial phone call from then-Watford striker Richarlison, now at Tottenham, helped secure his move. It took eight months to meet work permit criteria. Joao Pedro announced himself with an overhead kick for Fluminense against Cruzeiro in May 2019, aged 17. He and his family arrived in England in December 2019, aided by then-Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. During the Covid lockdown, he focused on physical training and gained around eight kilograms.

How did his Chelsea debut unfold?

The striker's first competitive action came in dramatic fashion. He left a training camp in Rio de Janeiro to join Chelsea in Miami for the FIFA Club World Cup, but his official debut was the Premier League opener at Fulham. His goal after half a minute set the tone for a 3-2 victory, a positive start to the Alonso era. You can view the team's upcoming schedule on our fixtures page.

What does this mean for Chelsea's season?

The immediate impact is a welcome boost for a club seeking consistent goals. With Palmer leading the early scoring charts, Joao Pedro's instant contribution suggests a potent attack. The focus now shifts to maintaining this form against a strong Brighton side. The team's current league position and goal difference are detailed on our standings page. Ending the so-called number nine curse would be a significant step toward challenging at the top of the table.