Chelsea coach Mourinho compares striker Pedro to Maradona

London: English champions Chelsea’s manager Jose Mourinho compared new signing striker Pedro Rodriguez to Argentine legend Diego Maradona after the Spaniard played a key role in the team’s first English Premier League win of the season. Pedro scored a goal and set up another as Chelsea beat West Brom 3-2 on Sunday. He was put straight into Mourinho’s starting team following his 21 million euro move from FC Barcelona on Thursday. [caption id=“attachment_2404554” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Pedro celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea. getty[/caption] “He (Pedro) wasn’t quite Maradona but he was close. He’s a very good player. There is always a question mark because of how many top players come to England and don’t perform immediately,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by Chelsea TV on Sunday. Mourinho admitted to concern over how quickly Pedro would adapt to English football, having spent his entire professional career with Barcelona, but never doubted the 28-year-old’s ability. “We have examples in our club and there are lots of examples at other clubs, so it’s very nice for him to come and straight away perform the way he did,” the manager said. “I expected him to perform like that because he had a good pre-season, and he played three competitive matches. He came with minutes, with intensity, so it was not a question of intensity and condition, it was a question of understanding,” Mourindo concluded. Pedro labelled his first game in England as a “dream” and to also thank club’s fans for their support. “Dream debut, win and goal. Thank you all,” the Spaniard tweeted alongside a picture of him celebrating his 20th-minute goal. IANS