Joao Pedro earned a large sum of money from his £55 million transfer fee by scoring twice against his former club Fluminense to take Chelsea to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final.
The 23-year-old, who completed his move to Stamford Bridge from Brighton six days ago, made his first appearance for Chelsea when striker Liam Delap was suspended. Pedro scored two stunning goals to earn his new club a place in the final, against Real Madrid or Paris St-Germain.
With Chelsea earning £25 million in prize money by winning a place in the final, Pedro's transfer fee now seems to be quite low.
If Delap had not been suspended after the match against Palmeiras, Pedro would not have made his first appearance for Chelsea. Instead, the Brazilian made a great debut.
In the 18th minute, receiving the ball from outside the penalty area, he curled into the far corner of the goal, surprising coach Enzo Maresca on the sidelines. In the 57th minute, Pedro pulled the counter-attack ball down the left of the penalty area, turning to the right foot to get past the opposing defender, before firing a shot that hit the edge of the crossbar into the net.
"I think this is a dream start. Everything is perfect, nothing more could be demanded. Scored 2 goals and now the whole team is looking forward to the final. I am very happy.
I am happy to have scored the first goal for Chelsea, but I also understand the importance of this tournament for Fluminense. I can only apologize, but I am a professional player. I play for Chelsea, and my job is to score," Pedro said after the match.
Pedro's seamless movements in Maresca's system make him feel like he has spent four years at the club, rather than four training sessions. Recruiting Pedro helps Maresca have at least 4 strikers with real flexibility.
Cole Palmer can operate as an attacking midfielder or right winger. Pedro has taken on the central striker position and the number 10 role. Nicolas Jackson could carry the task in the front or left, where he used to play before coming to Stamford Bridge.
In addition, there is Delap in the striker position and the wingers, from Estevao Willian and Noni Madueke (at least for now) to Pedro Neto (who takes charge of both wings) and Jamie Gittens. Then there is Mykhailo Mudryk, if he avoids a ban after being accused of doping.
Pedro joined the Fluminense training center at the age of 10. He has been with the Brazilian national team for 9 years, before joining Watford and then Brighton and Chelsea. Therefore, he still has a strong affection for his childhood team. After both goals, he ran away to celebrate, but still raised his arms to thank Fluminense.
Pedro is one of Chelsea's most expensive signings in the 2025 summer transfer window, with a fee of £55 million and a potential fee of £5 million.
"Perhaps Joao Pedro's biggest advantage is that he just had a break, he was fresher than the rest of the squad. That is something worth considering in the future.
Today, Joao Pedro played a little deeper than usual, but we all know how good he is in tight spaces. His technique and intelligence are really making the difference," Maresca said of his new student.
