Pedro: 'Leaving Barcelona for Chelsea was not about money'

Pedro has insisted that his decision to leave Barcelona for Chelsea was not motivated by money.

The reigning Premier League champions signed the Spaniard last week for a reported £21.4m fee.

On Sunday, the 28-year-old had an impressive Chelsea debut by scoring the opening goal in a 3-2 victory over West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

Today, Pedro, who came through Barcelona's youth system, returned to the Catalan city to deliver his farewells in front of his former teammates and the media in a press conference.

"I saw it was difficult to continue at Barca and we found a good way out," Pedro told reporters. "I am sad to leave but it's a good opportunity.

"At first it was strange to wear a shirt that was not Barca's. I am happy with the new challenge. It was not about money. It was the need to play consistently."

Pedro fell down the pecking order last season due to the prolific form of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi.