Enzo Maresca hails Joao Pedro following dream Chelsea debut | OneFootball

Joao Pedro scored two magnificent goals to send Chelsea through to the FIFA Club World Cup final at the expense of Fluminense on Tuesday.

The Brazilian forward was handed his first Blues start, against his former club, as Liam Delap missed the semi-final clash through suspension.

Pedro earned back a big chunk of the £55 million transfer fee Chelsea paid Brighton to sign, first by sending in a wonderful long-range finish in the 18th minute and then by cutting inside before smashing the ball in off the crossbar. That win alone is believed to have earned the club a £22.2m windfall.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said they are “very proud” to reach the final, calling it a “great achievement”. They will face either Real Madrid or PSG in Sunday’s decider to crown the world champions.

“We are very happy, very proud to play the final on Sunday,” he said after the final whistle. “The reason why is because this is the first edition of the Club World Cup. The best clubs in the world are here. We are proud.”

Enzo Maresca hails Joao Pedro following dream Chelsea debut

Maresca believes that Pedro benefitted from the time off he’s had since the end of the campaign.

“The good thing about Joao, he was on holiday, so he arrived he more fresh,” he said. “We knew already how good Joao is. We know how good he is to drop and link, technically in the small spaces. That’s why we decided to bring him here.”

Maresca revealed that he spoke with Roberto De Zerbi, who managed Pedro at Brighton for two years, before the deal went through.

“I knew all about Joao. He’s Brazilian first all. And these kind of players often play with a smile, and they enjoy their football. And I also spoke with my friend Roberto De Zerbi about him before we signed Joao.”

Read – Chelsea boss Maresca comments on possible Arsenal transfer

Responding to Maresca’s revelation, Pedro said he has thus far found it easy to adapt to the manager’s setup as the two Italians share similarities in approach.

“I think Enzo and De Zerbi are very similar, so it has definitely been easy for me to adapt to Chelsea. It’s been easy for me to understand how he wants me to play,” the 23-year-old said.

Meanwhile, Moises Caicedo is a doubt for the final after being forced off with an ankle injury. “Moi twisted his ankle. He felt he could try even though I told him we could play with 10 players. He felt pain. So hopefully he can be fit for Sunday.”

He added: “We’ll see and assess. I told him that he has to do anything to be on the pitch on Sunday!”

Dario Essugo missed the game with a muscular problem, but could return to fitness in time for the game.

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See Also – Crystal Palace make Chelsea transfer enquiry

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