The 24-year-old has delivered 21 goals and six assists in 42 appearances in his debut season at Stamford Bridge — a return that has placed him firmly in contention to lead Brazil's attack this summer.
The process of becoming a centre-forward was, he explains, a deliberate act of self-definition.
"Since I arrived at Chelsea, I made it very clear — at Watford I played as a No.10, as a No.9. At Brighton too. But since coming here, it's something I pushed for a lot. I wanted to play only as a No.9."
It was not vanity. It was about continuity and craft.
"When you keep changing positions, you lose some of the feeling for the role. Since the start of the season, I've been working a lot with Chelsea's staff, always trying to improve in some aspects."
The work has produced a defined profile — a striker who contributes rather than waits.
"I feel better playing as a striker, close to goal. But I'm not that striker who just stands waiting inside the box. I like participating in the game. I'm a participative No.9. I can build play and score a lot of goals too."
Two players have shaped how he has thought about the position.
"Today, I really like Kane and Lewandowski. I followed Kane more because of the Premier League and I take a lot of inspiration from him. When I played against Kane, I paid a lot of attention to him. We swapped shirts too. He's a player I admire and I hope to reach his level."
The season has not been uncomplicated. Chelsea changed managers during the campaign and results were inconsistent.
"Unfortunately we're living through a difficult moment, changing manager, not winning as much. But I think when Chelsea improve, this can be just the beginning of a very good period to reach the highest level possible."
On being compared to Didier Drogba after surpassing the Chelsea legend's first-season goal tally, he was respectful but clear about keeping his own path.
"Drogba is an idol at Chelsea. Some fans joke: 'Maybe we found the new Drogba?' But I try to go my own way, slowly, without thinking too much about that."
The dressing room dynamic, he reveals, is warm — and increasingly shaped by World Cup conversations. Cole Palmer, for one, is already lobbying for a particular quarter-final.
"He goes crazy if I don't say England are favourites. He really wants Brazil vs England in the quarter-finals. I told him: 'Careful, huh? Be careful.'"
The bond with Estêvão, Chelsea's other Brazilian, goes beyond the pitch. When the teenager suffered an injury, the response from the squad told its own story.
"I didn't expect someone his age to already think like he thinks. When he got injured, I stayed next to him in the dressing room for the whole first half, talking to him. Enzo, Pedro Neto, Cucurella, Caicedo — everyone tries to support him. Everyone at Chelsea treats Estêvão like a younger brother."
João Pedro sets demanding standards for himself and says his teammates hold him to the same ones.
"I put a lot of pressure on myself. Not only with Brazil, but also at my club. Reece James, when I go one match without scoring, already says the next one has to come."
On the overhead kick that became one of Chelsea's moments of the season, he was refreshingly unguarded.
"It happened out of nowhere. I thought very quickly. In football there's no time to think. It just came out."
He also identified the defenders who tested him most.
"Pacho from PSG was difficult. Tah from Bayern. And Gabriel Magalhães. But I gave him problems too."
Brazil's number nine shirt carries its own mythology, and João Pedro understands what comes with it.
"I think comparing any player to Ronaldo is impossible. If I can be Brazil's No.9 at a World Cup, it would be an honour. I would give my life and give my maximum to represent in the best way possible."
He is still waiting for his first international goal and admits a chance against Croatia still stings.
"I had one chance against Croatia, but the goalkeeper made a great save. But it's only a matter of time."