Starting a new player in a semi-final after they were with another team during earlier stages is unusual, a quirk of the new Club World Cup format. It`s even rarer for that player to shine immediately. Yet, Joao Pedro did just that, scoring twice in Chelsea`s 2-0 win over Fluminense, offering a first glimpse of his talent in a Chelsea shirt.
Joao Pedro wasted no time making an impact, opening the scoring in the 16th minute. Capitalizing on a deflection, he controlled the ball, took a couple of touches, and curled a shot from the edge of the box into the top corner. His second goal in the 56th minute was arguably more impressive – a powerful run into the box, beating a defender before finding space to finish. It was a stellar debut start for Chelsea, bringing him one game away from his first trophy with the club.
Chelsea signed the 23-year-old precisely for performances like this. Manager Enzo Maresca explained before the match that he sees Joao Pedro as versatile across the front line, someone who can be part of a group of “four, five players scoring 10, 12 goals each” rather than relying on a single striker for 40. This approach makes sense given Chelsea`s large squad, reportedly featuring 20 attackers. Maresca`s desire for goals from multiple sources is practical, maybe even essential for competing in the UEFA Champions League next season. Even if some players are moved on, fierce competition for playing time is expected, and Joao Pedro is quickly positioning himself at the forefront.
Post-match, Maresca commented, “We knew how good Joao is, in terms of the player.” He added that the signing was partly due to facing teams that play with a “low block,” a scenario where Joao Pedro`s qualities are particularly effective. Maresca also noted his positive attitude: “as a person, first of all, he is from Brazil so most of the Brazilian players, they are very happy. They enjoy with the football.”
While versatility is a known trait, Tuesday`s match highlighted the entertaining style that makes him a joy to watch. His goals demonstrated his capability: a clever flick for the first and a sharp, decisive run for the second. These are skills valuable to any side, especially a young Chelsea team aiming to become Europe`s elite.
It`s notable progress for a player who was posting workout videos from Rio just when Chelsea started their Club World Cup campaign thousands of miles away. While Joao Pedro`s recent arrival is another oddity in this unique tournament, Maresca admitted there was an upside.
“I think another thing that is important about Joao is that he was on holiday, so probably is a bit more fresh compared to the rest,” the manager noted, acknowledging this potential physical advantage. “So it`s something that is probably also important to be aware of that, so happy for Joao.”
According to fellow Brazilian Andrey Santos, Joao Pedro has settled in well with the help of his teammates, relying on the natural quality that earned him the move to Chelsea.
“I think that my teammates are helping a lot,” Santos commented. “He`s amazing, he`s smart, so I think that this is important. He is training hard every day, so I think it is important, and today, he showed the quality.”
However, Tuesday`s performance was a blend of skill and circumstance. While he might become a regular starter, his inclusion against his former club, Fluminense, was directly influenced by Liam Delap`s suspension and other injuries. How Maresca manages the balance in his large squad remains a key question ahead of Sunday`s final. The opportunity to win a trophy often prompts a manager to identify their strongest available lineup, at least for that moment.
Joao Pedro will also need to consistently perform to justify the roughly $75 million transfer fee paid to Brighton & Hove Albion. Maresca might target a minimum of 10 goals a season for him, and while he hit that mark at Brighton, five were penalties, and his expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes metric is lower than current Chelsea players Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke (the latter potentially leaving). The big questions are whether he can maximize his potential at Chelsea and if the relatively inexperienced Maresca can bring the best out of him. In the ongoing “musical chairs” search for Chelsea`s next prolific goalscorer, Joao Pedro has certainly made a strong claim.
Maresca concluded by acknowledging the potential: “This is exactly the way he showed [Tuesday].” He added a note of caution, “Doesn`t mean he`s going to be all season like this because it`s not going to happen,” but emphasized, “but it`s good to have him and also as an option.”
