Joao Pedro targeting over 20 goals in maiden Chelsea season

Joao Pedro is aiming to become the first Chelsea striker since Diego Costa to score 20 or more goals in a season.

The Brazil international scored a hat-trick in Wednesday's 4-1 win at Aston Villa to move on to 17 goals this season, with nine league matches – and at least 12 fixtures in total – still to come for Chelsea.

Asked whether he feels pressure to reach the elusive tally, which has not been achieved by a Chelsea player for nine years, the 24-year-old said: "I just try not to think too much about the outside. I just try to do my best every match, and hopefully I can keep doing that and get 20 goals this season.

"Yeah, I've been here in England a long time – six years already – and I was working to get to this point, to arrive at a big club. My opportunity came and now I need to try to do my best every day.

"If you come to play for Chelsea, there is pressure every day, every season. This is normal. We just have to do our job."

Joao Pedro also praised several team-mates, describing winger Alejandro Garnacho – who set up his hat-trick goal – as an "important player" with "great experience". He added: "His time is going to come. He just needs to keep working hard and soon he'll be on the pitch more."

On Cole Palmer, who also scored, he said: "Palmer is a special player, and since I joined he has always tried to be around and help me. I love playing with him."

In the Premier League this season, only Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has scored more non‑penalty goals than Joao Pedro's 14.

Asked whether he knew he was ready for a step up from Brighton when making his summer move, he said: "I knew my opportunity to come to a big club would come. I knew I would get my chance and I had to be ready."