“Absolutely. I have watched many English Premier League games and they look very different to the Spanish game, particularly much faster”.

Jose Mourinho will be hoping that this acquisition will help his side improve after a hard opening two games to the season which has seen last years Champions pick up just one point. “While the window is open there is always an opportunity”. “[But] I thought he would never leave Barcelona”. And then, obviously, we are happy that the player chose us. “This week we trained better than ever”, Mourinho said ahead of Sunday’s clash at West Brom.

FC Barcelona recently sold Pedro to Chelsea for a reported fee of €30 million, which is more than what they received for Brazil legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo de Lima.

But Mourinho refused to gloat at having apparently put one over rivals Manchester United, who had been regarded as favourites to secure his signature.

And in the words of the manager, “We (Chelsea) need to be unhappy because that feeling makes you work, but to be calm is important”. “Because we are not happy”, Mourinho said.

“He has wonderful respect and the way he speaks, he loves (Andres) Iniesta and (Lionel) Messi and these guys that played with him all these years – but everything he does, he would always be behind and it’s a moment for him to enjoy a new challenge in a new country and a new culture”.

All the Blues’ defeats since the start of the 2014-15 season came to managers with surnames beginning with P. A solid defensive performance last time out has left the Baggies with one point from two games but considering how impressive Man City were against Chelsea last week the Baggies first home loss to Man City is no bad result.

But the Portuguese insisted that does not necessarily mean any players will be leaving prior to the September 1 closure of the transfer window.

Mourinho declared, “I’m not happy with Ivanovic’s form, Cahill’s, John’s, Azpi’s, Fabregas”, Matic’s, Eden’s’.

“It depends on the opportunities, whether you can do something you really believe you cannot pass up”.

Oscar is still sidelined by injury but Mourinho confirmed that Thibaut Courtois will replace Asmir Begovic in goal, following a one-match suspension – and the Blues boss also hinted that John Terry is likely to start at The Hawthorns, despite being hauled off at half-time against City.

Van Gaal said on Friday: “If we wanted Pedro, there would not have been any problem”.