Joao Pedro could hardly have imagined a better way to begin life as Chelsea’s new No. 9.
Just 31 seconds into the Blues’ Premier League opener against Fulham at Craven Cottage, the Brazilian forward found the net with a composed finish over Bernd Leno.
The goal immediately answered some of the doubts surrounding Chelsea’s famous No. 9 shirt. It also provided a dream start to Xabi Alonso’s first Premier League campaign as Chelsea manager.
For a club that has struggled to get consistent production from the No. 9 shirt for more than two decades, Joao Pedro’s instant impact could hardly have been more symbolic.
Joao Pedro Scores After Just 31 Seconds
Chelsea needed less than a minute to take control of the game.
The visitors won possession before quickly moving forward. Cole Palmer then found Joao Pedro, who showed impressive composure inside the Fulham penalty area.
Rather than rushing the finish, the striker calmly lifted the ball over goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
The ball found the net after only 31 seconds.
It was the perfect beginning for Joao Pedro, particularly after he had recently committed his future to Chelsea by signing a new eight-year contract on Saturday, August 22.
The timing of the goal also made the moment even more significant.
Joao Pedro had just taken over Chelsea’s No. 9 shirt from Liam Delap, a number that has carried considerable pressure at Stamford Bridge.
His immediate response was exactly what Chelsea supporters would have wanted.
Why Chelsea’s No. 9 Shirt Has Become a Talking Point
Chelsea’s No. 9 shirt has developed an unusual reputation over the years.
Several high-profile strikers have worn the number but struggled to consistently reproduce their best form in West London.
Among the players to wear Chelsea’s No. 9 shirt in recent years are:
- Mateja Kezman
- Hernan Crespo
- Fernando Torres
- Radamel Falcao
- Alvaro Morata
- Gonzalo Higuain
- Romelu Lukaku
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- Liam Delap
The list contains plenty of famous names, but their time wearing the shirt did not always produce the expected goalscoring numbers.
That history has helped create the idea of a “No. 9 curse” at Chelsea.
It is not an actual curse, of course. Football is far more complicated than a shirt number.
However, the pattern has become part of Chelsea folklore, meaning every new striker wearing the number inevitably faces additional scrutiny.
Joao Pedro has now given himself the best possible start.
Liam Delap’s Difficult Season Adds to the Story
The pressure surrounding Chelsea’s No. 9 shirt became particularly noticeable during Liam Delap’s spell at the club.
After joining Chelsea from Ipswich Town for a reported £30 million, Delap scored just one Premier League goal during the 2025/26 season.
Interestingly, that goal also came at Craven Cottage.
However, Chelsea lost that match 2-1 to Fulham in January, meaning Delap’s only Premier League goal for the club did not lead to a positive result.
The situation surrounding Delap also became increasingly interesting before Chelsea’s clash with Fulham.
Reports emerged shortly before kick-off suggesting that the striker was closing in on a move to Nottingham Forest in a deal reportedly worth £40 million.
If completed at that figure, Chelsea could potentially make a £10 million profit on the player.
That would bring another chapter of the recent No. 9 story to an end while opening the door for Joao Pedro to take full ownership of the shirt.
Joao Pedro Makes an Instant Statement
Scoring after 31 seconds does not guarantee a successful season.
However, it sends a powerful message.
Joao Pedro arrived at the start of a new era under Alonso, with Chelsea looking to build a team capable of challenging near the top of the Premier League.
The Brazilian forward therefore needs to establish himself quickly.
His opening goal against Fulham demonstrated several qualities Chelsea will hope to see regularly:
- Composure: Joao Pedro remained calm when presented with the opportunity.
- Movement: He was in the right position when Palmer delivered the ball.
- Finishing: The delicate finish over Leno showed confidence.
- Speed of impact: He scored almost immediately after kick-off.
- Confidence: Taking on the No. 9 shirt requires a strong mentality.
Those qualities could make Joao Pedro an important part of Alonso’s plans.
A Record-Breaking Start for Chelsea’s New No. 9
Joao Pedro’s goal was significant beyond the No. 9 storyline.
The 31-second strike was reported as the fastest goal scored on the opening matchday of a Premier League season.
That means Joao Pedro immediately put his name into the competition’s record books.
He also matched Liam Delap’s entire Premier League goal tally from the previous season in less than a minute.
For a striker taking over a shirt that has been associated with frustration at Chelsea, the statistic could hardly be more striking.
It also gave the Blues an early advantage in their opening match.
Cole Palmer Also Makes an Immediate Impact
Joao Pedro was not the only Chelsea player to make an early statement.
Cole Palmer provided the assist for the opening goal, continuing his importance to Chelsea’s attacking structure.
The assist also meant Palmer immediately matched the total number of assists he recorded throughout the previous Premier League season.
His combination with Joao Pedro could become one of the most important attacking partnerships for Chelsea under Alonso.
Palmer’s ability to create opportunities and Joao Pedro’s movement and finishing could give Chelsea a dangerous attacking option.
The Real Test Comes Over the Full Season
Despite the spectacular beginning, Joao Pedro’s biggest challenge is still ahead.
One goal cannot completely erase more than two decades of Chelsea’s No. 9 history.
The striker will need to maintain his form across an entire Premier League campaign, deal with defensive pressure, and adapt to the demands of playing for one of England’s biggest clubs.
Chelsea will also expect consistency.
If Joao Pedro can continue scoring important goals, the conversation around the No. 9 shirt could gradually change. Instead of discussing a supposed curse, supporters could start associating the number with a new era.
For now, though, Joao Pedro could not have asked for a better opening.
Thirty-one seconds was enough to score, set a new opening-matchday record and immediately give Chelsea fans something to believe in.
The No. 9 shirt has a complicated history at Stamford Bridge.
Joao Pedro has made his first response unforgettable.
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