Jose Mourinho Compares Pedro Rodriguez to Diego Maradona

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho compared the club's new signing Pedro Rodriguez to Argentine legend Diego Maradona after the Spaniard played a key role in the English Premier League (EPL) giant's first win of the season on Sunday.

Pedro scored a goal and set up Diego Costa for the second as Chelsea defeated West Bromwich Albion 3-2. He was put straight into Mourinho's starting XI following his 21 million euro move to Stamford Bridge from Barcelona on Thursday.

"He (Pedro) wasn't quite Maradona but he was close. He's a very good player. There is always a question mark because of how many top players come to England and don't perform immediately," Mourinho was quoted as saying by Chelsea TV on Sunday.

Mourinho admitted that he was concerned over how quickly Pedro would adapt to Premier League football, having spent his entire professional career at the Nou Camp, but never doubted the 28-year-old's ability.

"We have examples in our club and there are lots of examples at other clubs, so it's very nice for him to come and straight away perform the way he did," the manager said.

"I expected him to perform like that because he had a good pre-season, and he played three competitive matches. He came with minutes, with intensity, so it was not a question of intensity and condition, it was a question of understanding," Mourinho concluded.

Pedro labelled his first game in the Premier League as a "dream" and also thanked the club's fans for their support.

"Dream debut, win and goal. Thank you all," the Spaniard tweeted alongside a picture of him celebrating his 20th-minute goal.