Cesc Fabregas can fire Chelsea to the Champions League, claims Barcelona winger Pedro

Barcelona winger Pedro has spoken of his sadness that Cesc Fabregas has left the club to join Chelsea, and says that the Blues are now Champions League contenders after signing the playmaker.

The former Arsenal captain moved to Chelsea for £27m last month, and his former team-mate Pedro has no doubts that Fabregas will be a success on his return to English football.

"Cesc is a great player, one of the best midfielders and he creates chances," the 27-year-old told reports at St Georges Park, where Barcelona are training. "He is a great player to have. He will do really well at Chelsea."

In addition to Fabregas, Chelsea have also raided La Liga for Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa and Filipe Luis, and Pedro believes these signings will make them "very difficult to beat" in the Europe's elite competition.

"Chelsea will be difficult to beat in the Champions League because they have strengthened well and made some great signings," he added.

Fabregas scored his first goal for the Blues in the 3-1 friendly victory over Vitesse Arhhem on Wednesday night.