EXCLUSIVE

Pedro insists he has no regrets about leaving Barcelona for Chelsea and confirmed he will stay at Stamford Bridge next season.

Chelsea beat Manchester United to the £21m Spain international’s signature last August but he struggled in the first half of the campaign and there was speculation he would return to Spain this summer.

The 28-year-old, whose contract expires in 2019, told Standard Sport: “I am really happy here and have no regrets about the decision I made to join Chelsea.”

Chelsea finished outside the top six for the first time in 20 years and failed to compete for silverware.

Chelsea 2015/16 Player Ratings 24 show all Chelsea 2015/16 Player Ratings 1/24 Season ratings How did Chelsea's champions get on in a difficult defence of their title? 2/24 Thibaut Courtois: 6 In a season marred by injury and two suspensions, Courtois has appeared unsure at times in goal, in part, due to the leaky defence in front of him. However, he has shown in other games he still has the ability to pull off a world-class save, which is why he remains Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images 3/24 Branislav Ivanovic: 4 Suffered a poor start to the campaign, which resulted in the right-back being targeted by opposition players for much of the early stages of the season. However, he managed to recover his form and, indeed, his confidence to play a big role at centre back during Chelsea's injury crisis. Is still prone to an error or two, though. Getty 4/24 Gary Cahill: 6 Was usurped by Kurt Zouma at the heart of Chelsea's defence following Jose Mourinho's sacking, but has regained his place in the team and, despite a few low moments, has performed well. Julian Finney/Getty Images 5/24 John Terry: 4 The Chelsea captain has endured a largely disappointing season after being subbed off for the first time under Jose Mourinho against Manchester City, being sent off twice this season and suffering from injuries. Perhaps affected by his uncertain future at the club, Terry's form has been, overall, inconsistent although his leadership skills remain as strong as ever.



Quite simply, it's vital that Antonio Conte has the veteran at the Bridge next season. AFP/Getty Images 6/24 Cesar Azpilicueta: 7 One of Chelsea's best defenders this season. The Spaniard has performed well at both left-back and right-back and, apart from a handful of errors over the course of the campaign, Azpilicueta has been solid at the back while impressing when going on the attack. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images 7/24 Nemanja Matic: 5 Started off as Chelsea's first-choice holding midfielder, but lost his place in the side as his lack of pace left him running after shadows particularly earlier in the season, when his lowest moment came against Southampton after Mourinho substituted him on and then off again within 28 minutes. However, he has slowly recovered his form and finishes the season having scored goals against Everton and, more recently, Sunderland. Ian MacNicol/Getty Images 8/24 Cesc Fabregas: 6 For much of the early part of the campaign, the Spaniard struggled to recreate his scintillating performances of last season. But the midfielder has gone on to recover his form under Hiddink and has flourished in recent weeks playing in the No.10 role. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images 9/24 Pedro: 5 After a superb debut against West Brom - in which the former Barcelona star scored one goal and set up another - the winger has endured a difficult time dealing with the pace of the English game, and also the amount of defensive work he has to do during games. But, the Spaniard has maintained his work rate all season and has been rewarded with seven Premier League goals. Getty 10/24 Willian: 8 Easily Chelsea's best player this season, the Brazilian has maintained his consistent performances despite his teammates struggling around him. His work rate, his sheer pace and tricky footwork to add to his superb set pieces and five league goals are the reasons for Willian taking our top rating. Clive Mason/Getty Images 11/24 Eden Hazard: 3 The forward has failed to live up to expectations despite winning last year's PFA Player of the Year award as poor form and injury have blighted his campaign. Despite appearing to come to life in the final weeks of the season - culminating in a superb solo goal against Liverpool - following his admission that he has rediscovered his passion for playing, Hazard has not performed to the standard that Chelsea fans will have demanded from him. BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images 12/24 Diego Costa: 6 Overcame a sluggish start to find his goalscoring touch under Hiddink, in what has been a season of two halves for the striker. The Spain international remains Chelsea's best forward - backed up by his 12 Premier League goals this term - but his tendency to become embroiled in controversial incidents on the pitch has cost the team at times - with the forward being sent off for the first time in his Blues career against Everton. BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images 13/24 Asmir Begovic: 6 The goalkeeper has performed well throughout Courtois' absences with injury and suspension but, despite being largely solid in goal, he has not been able to keep hold of a starting role. 2016 Getty Images 14/24 Kurt Zouma: 7 After cementing his place as one of Chelsea's first-choice centre-backs with his strong displays, the Frenchman was unfortunate to see his season cut short in February with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. However, his performances from the first half of the campaign show why he is likely to be a key player for Chelsea next term. GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images 15/24 Abdul Baba Rahman: 4 The left-back has shown in the 14 league games he has played in since joining from Augsburg last summer that while he has the pace and attacking intent to help out Chelsea pushing forwards, he needs to have better concentration when defending to avoid letting opposition players exploit the spaces he so often leaves at the back. Alex Morton/Getty Images 16/24 John Obi Mikel: 5 After breaking back into the first team following the appointment of Hiddink, the 29-year-old has, overall, done well in his holding midfield position, which has relegated Matic to the bench. While having been solid in many of the games he has played this season, Mikel has allowed mistakes to enter into his game and his lack of pace has been exposed at times. 2016 Getty Images 17/24 Matt Miazga: 5 The 20-year-old has played two games since arriving at Chelsea from New York Red Bulls in January, in which fans have seen Miazga's potential but also his lack of experience of top-flight football. After enjoying a positive debut against Aston Villa, the centre-back struggled against Swansea - leading to his half-time substitution. OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images 18/24 Ruben Loftus-Cheek: 6 Has demonstrated in the 12 Premier League games he has played this season why he has a bright future at Chelsea. His ability to protect the back line with his well-timed tackles but also help out in attack has allowed the 20-year-old to shine this season. GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images 19/24 Oscar: 5 The Brazilian started the season off well but, after succumbing to injury, has found himself in and out of the team. Will need to put on more consistent performances next term if he wants to hold down a place in Antonio Conte's side. Alex Morton/Getty Images 20/24 Radamel Falcao: 2 Has endured a horrible season-long loan with the Blues - scoring just once in an injury-hit campaign. His only goal, which came in Chelsea's 2-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace, was superb but he hasn't scored or performed well enough to justify staying on at the club.



He would have been forgiven for failing to make an impact had Chelsea maintained last season's performance levels. They didn't, and he somehow offered less than he managed at Old Trafford. 21/24 Loic Remy: 4 The striker has had a season to forget as injuries, a lack of starts and below-par form - perhaps in part to not playing enough - ruining his campaign. After scoring just once in the Premier League this season - in Chelsea's 2-1 loss at Leicester - Remy's future at Stamford Bridge looks uncertain. (*Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) 22/24 Alexandre Pato: 4 Couldn't be put straight into the team during Chelsea's striker crisis due to his lack of match fitness but, after three months getting back in shape, Pato impressed on his debut against Aston Villa. He scored one goal and had a hand in another, but after missing two chances in the following game against Swansea, Pato has been forced to sit on the bench with Diego Costa and Bertrand Traore justifiably being above him in the pecking order. Alex Morton/Getty Images 23/24 Bertrand Traore: 6 The forward has broken into the first team under Hiddink, and for good reason too. The 20-year-old has demonstrated how clinical he can be in front of goal - he's scored two league goals this term - and that he is prepared to work hard for the team even if he starts on the wing rather than up front. A bright future awaits the striker. GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images 24/24 Kenedy: 6 The Brazilian has largely impressed this season, whether he has started on the left wing or at left back. His pace, attacking abilities along with his defensive work means he is a versatile player who can be an important member of the Chelsea team next term. 1/24 Season ratings How did Chelsea's champions get on in a difficult defence of their title? 2/24 Thibaut Courtois: 6 In a season marred by injury and two suspensions, Courtois has appeared unsure at times in goal, in part, due to the leaky defence in front of him. However, he has shown in other games he still has the ability to pull off a world-class save, which is why he remains Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images 3/24 Branislav Ivanovic: 4 Suffered a poor start to the campaign, which resulted in the right-back being targeted by opposition players for much of the early stages of the season. However, he managed to recover his form and, indeed, his confidence to play a big role at centre back during Chelsea's injury crisis. Is still prone to an error or two, though. Getty 4/24 Gary Cahill: 6 Was usurped by Kurt Zouma at the heart of Chelsea's defence following Jose Mourinho's sacking, but has regained his place in the team and, despite a few low moments, has performed well. Julian Finney/Getty Images 5/24 John Terry: 4 The Chelsea captain has endured a largely disappointing season after being subbed off for the first time under Jose Mourinho against Manchester City, being sent off twice this season and suffering from injuries. Perhaps affected by his uncertain future at the club, Terry's form has been, overall, inconsistent although his leadership skills remain as strong as ever.



Quite simply, it's vital that Antonio Conte has the veteran at the Bridge next season. AFP/Getty Images 6/24 Cesar Azpilicueta: 7 One of Chelsea's best defenders this season. The Spaniard has performed well at both left-back and right-back and, apart from a handful of errors over the course of the campaign, Azpilicueta has been solid at the back while impressing when going on the attack. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images 7/24 Nemanja Matic: 5 Started off as Chelsea's first-choice holding midfielder, but lost his place in the side as his lack of pace left him running after shadows particularly earlier in the season, when his lowest moment came against Southampton after Mourinho substituted him on and then off again within 28 minutes. However, he has slowly recovered his form and finishes the season having scored goals against Everton and, more recently, Sunderland. Ian MacNicol/Getty Images 8/24 Cesc Fabregas: 6 For much of the early part of the campaign, the Spaniard struggled to recreate his scintillating performances of last season. But the midfielder has gone on to recover his form under Hiddink and has flourished in recent weeks playing in the No.10 role. Shaun Botterill/Getty Images 9/24 Pedro: 5 After a superb debut against West Brom - in which the former Barcelona star scored one goal and set up another - the winger has endured a difficult time dealing with the pace of the English game, and also the amount of defensive work he has to do during games. But, the Spaniard has maintained his work rate all season and has been rewarded with seven Premier League goals. Getty 10/24 Willian: 8 Easily Chelsea's best player this season, the Brazilian has maintained his consistent performances despite his teammates struggling around him. His work rate, his sheer pace and tricky footwork to add to his superb set pieces and five league goals are the reasons for Willian taking our top rating. Clive Mason/Getty Images 11/24 Eden Hazard: 3 The forward has failed to live up to expectations despite winning last year's PFA Player of the Year award as poor form and injury have blighted his campaign. Despite appearing to come to life in the final weeks of the season - culminating in a superb solo goal against Liverpool - following his admission that he has rediscovered his passion for playing, Hazard has not performed to the standard that Chelsea fans will have demanded from him. BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images 12/24 Diego Costa: 6 Overcame a sluggish start to find his goalscoring touch under Hiddink, in what has been a season of two halves for the striker. The Spain international remains Chelsea's best forward - backed up by his 12 Premier League goals this term - but his tendency to become embroiled in controversial incidents on the pitch has cost the team at times - with the forward being sent off for the first time in his Blues career against Everton. BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images 13/24 Asmir Begovic: 6 The goalkeeper has performed well throughout Courtois' absences with injury and suspension but, despite being largely solid in goal, he has not been able to keep hold of a starting role. 2016 Getty Images 14/24 Kurt Zouma: 7 After cementing his place as one of Chelsea's first-choice centre-backs with his strong displays, the Frenchman was unfortunate to see his season cut short in February with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. However, his performances from the first half of the campaign show why he is likely to be a key player for Chelsea next term. GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images 15/24 Abdul Baba Rahman: 4 The left-back has shown in the 14 league games he has played in since joining from Augsburg last summer that while he has the pace and attacking intent to help out Chelsea pushing forwards, he needs to have better concentration when defending to avoid letting opposition players exploit the spaces he so often leaves at the back. Alex Morton/Getty Images 16/24 John Obi Mikel: 5 After breaking back into the first team following the appointment of Hiddink, the 29-year-old has, overall, done well in his holding midfield position, which has relegated Matic to the bench. While having been solid in many of the games he has played this season, Mikel has allowed mistakes to enter into his game and his lack of pace has been exposed at times. 2016 Getty Images 17/24 Matt Miazga: 5 The 20-year-old has played two games since arriving at Chelsea from New York Red Bulls in January, in which fans have seen Miazga's potential but also his lack of experience of top-flight football. After enjoying a positive debut against Aston Villa, the centre-back struggled against Swansea - leading to his half-time substitution. OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images 18/24 Ruben Loftus-Cheek: 6 Has demonstrated in the 12 Premier League games he has played this season why he has a bright future at Chelsea. His ability to protect the back line with his well-timed tackles but also help out in attack has allowed the 20-year-old to shine this season. GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images 19/24 Oscar: 5 The Brazilian started the season off well but, after succumbing to injury, has found himself in and out of the team. Will need to put on more consistent performances next term if he wants to hold down a place in Antonio Conte's side. Alex Morton/Getty Images 20/24 Radamel Falcao: 2 Has endured a horrible season-long loan with the Blues - scoring just once in an injury-hit campaign. His only goal, which came in Chelsea's 2-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace, was superb but he hasn't scored or performed well enough to justify staying on at the club.



He would have been forgiven for failing to make an impact had Chelsea maintained last season's performance levels. They didn't, and he somehow offered less than he managed at Old Trafford. 21/24 Loic Remy: 4 The striker has had a season to forget as injuries, a lack of starts and below-par form - perhaps in part to not playing enough - ruining his campaign. After scoring just once in the Premier League this season - in Chelsea's 2-1 loss at Leicester - Remy's future at Stamford Bridge looks uncertain. (*Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) 22/24 Alexandre Pato: 4 Couldn't be put straight into the team during Chelsea's striker crisis due to his lack of match fitness but, after three months getting back in shape, Pato impressed on his debut against Aston Villa. He scored one goal and had a hand in another, but after missing two chances in the following game against Swansea, Pato has been forced to sit on the bench with Diego Costa and Bertrand Traore justifiably being above him in the pecking order. Alex Morton/Getty Images 23/24 Bertrand Traore: 6 The forward has broken into the first team under Hiddink, and for good reason too. The 20-year-old has demonstrated how clinical he can be in front of goal - he's scored two league goals this term - and that he is prepared to work hard for the team even if he starts on the wing rather than up front. A bright future awaits the striker. GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images 24/24 Kenedy: 6 The Brazilian has largely impressed this season, whether he has started on the left wing or at left back. His pace, attacking abilities along with his defensive work means he is a versatile player who can be an important member of the Chelsea team next term.

Pedro added: “I am already looking forward to next season in terms of what we can achieve and putting the club back where it should be. Of course when you move away from your city there are certain things you will miss but, generally speaking, I am settled in this country.

“Is the best still to come from me? Absolutely. I always keep faith in myself and my abilities.

“I’m sure next season will be a great one for me and the club. I’m really looking forward to fighting for the Premier League, which will be a dream for me.”

Next season will also be the first time since 1996-7 that the club won't be playing in European competition.

But Pedro feels the disappointment will inspire everyone at the club to make sure they only spend one year out of Europe's premier club competition.

He added: "It was a real disappointment to be eliminated from the Champions League. I thought we played well in the competition and so we ended up being a bit angry that we didn't go further.

"This gives us motivation for the coming season. We will fight in the League to get back in the Champions League for the following year and be among the top teams in Europe again.

"Has the Champions League been hard to watch since Chelsea went out? Yes. But there are always great teams in the Champions League so even if there are clubs I'd prefer to be there, like Barcelona or Chelsea, I will still tune in to see who wins the final (between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid)."

Pedro (left) is supporting the Chelsea Foundation’s Asian Star initiative. Now in its eighth year, the ground-breaking event gives a much-needed boost to Asian participation at all levels of the game. Asian Star returns on May 30 at the club’s Cobham training ground, with applications for players aged 9-12 now open at chelseafc.com/asianstar