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'Very hungry' Joao Pedro impresses Alonso
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The Express Tribune
Photo: AFPChelsea's Brazilian striker Joao Pedro is "very hungry" after his World Cup snub, with a quick-fire hat-trick in the team's opening pre-season game impressing new manager Xabi Alonso.
Alonso said that Joao Pedro, who bagged a nine-minute hat-trick as a second-half substitute in Chelsea's 6-4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday, had been fired up in training.
"He's very hungry -– Joao is really, really determined to have a great season," said Alonso.
Chelsea are reportedly looking to offload some forwards after the arrival of attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, but Joao Pedro will almost certainly not be one of them.
While Joao Pedro excelled, fellow striker Liam Delap looked stiff up front and struggled to create chances in a youthful team before being replaced after 60 minutes.