Pedro unhappy with Van Gaal treatment of Valdes

Mark Holmes
Pedro: Joined Chelsea instead of Manchester United

Pedro: Joined Chelsea instead of Manchester United

Chelsea forward Pedro has confirmed he does not like the way Victor Valdes has been treated by Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.

Pedro had been expected to join United for much of the summer before Chelsea hijacked the transfer amid conflicting reports regarding the collapse of his proposed move to Old Trafford.

It was claimed in some quarters that Van Gaal himself went cold on the idea of signing Pedro, but others suggested it was Pedro that changed his mind over the switch, partly because he was unhappy with the way Valdes had been frozen out at United after falling out with Van Gaal over his ‘philosophy’.

Pedro has now publicly expressed his dissatisfaction at Valdes’ treatment but insists it did not influence his decision to join Chelsea as opposed to the Red Devils.

“It is true that I do not like this treatment to my team-mates, especially Victor who has been a reference for me as a companion and a great professional,” Pedro told Spanish newspaper Marca.

“I think it’s not fair, but that did not influence my decision.”

Pedro also discussed further his failed move to Old Trafford, accusing United of “stalling” over the transfer.

“I saw that Manchester United weren’t taking a decision and stalling, and I needed a team to start the season. Chelsea were the most decisive.”