Predicted Chelsea lineup Vs West Brom: Mourinho to bring in the changes?

“John Terry is an exemplary captain, who has treated me very well since I arrived”.

Jonas Olsson: Similar to his defensive partner McAuley in that he found it tough to contend with the threat of Costa. There was interest from [Manchester] City and United but it was Chelsea that moved the quickest and were the most decisive.

Man Utd officials claimed last week that they decided to pull out of the race to sign Pedro, amid suggestions that manager Louis van Gaal changed his mind on signing the player. The Spaniard was largely untroubled in the second half despite West Brom’s numerical advantage and also helped relieve pressure with countless breaks forward.

Ten minutes later, Pedro turned provider by driving in a cross-shot that was bundled in by a sliding Diego Costa at the far post.

Baggies manager Tony Pulis railed at speculation over England Under-21 Saido Berahino, who has been linked to Tottenham, while Pedro’s arrival at Chelsea could see Juan Cuadrado join Juventus on loan. Used the ball well too but, if being harsh, could have been more aware in helping out John Terry for the sending-off incident.

The Hawthorns on a wet Sunday afternoon is not the most glamorous place for a debut for someone used to the Nou Camp but Pedro proved his worth.

Kurt Zouma: Introduced into the side at the expense of Cahill, the young Frenchman did little wrong.

Cesar Azpilicueta made it 3-1 with his first Premier League goal just before half-time but there was more drama to come as Terry was sent off for bringing down Salomon Rondon in the 54th minute. Whereas before he ran proceedings, there was times when he left the back four exposed. “I wanted to feel important, to have minutes on the field and play in important matches”, he added. “At the end, hopefully the team will be better”. He was substituted after the restart following Terry’s red card. The midfielder picked out Pedro and his cross-shot was finished by the unmarked Costa.

From then, Chelsea took control and went 2-0 up on the half-hour following a counter-attack of ruthless precision.

It will be Manchester United’s loss that they failed to sign the winger from Barcelona as he gave a glimpse of what he will offer Chelsea in the title race.

All of that qualified this as a pretty flawless debut, but what the 28-year-old will take away from his first taste of English football is an understanding of the world he has entered.

“Everybody here today should be talking about the game and this wouldn’t be an issue”.

Jose Mourinho on Pedro’s display: “It was a very good performance”. Apart from goal keeper Ben Foster, West Brom have a fully fit squad.