As Chelsea looked to book their place in the Club World Cup final, all eyes were firmly on their new signing making his first start for the side.
Joao Pedro impressed greatly in a cameo off the bench against Palmeiras in the quarter-finals, and was rewarded with a start in the absence of Liam Delap.
Enzo Maresca’s decision paid off after just 18 minutes when Pedro curled a glorious finish home, sending the Blues on the way to a comfortable 2-0 win.
Pedro added to his tally with an equally-brilliant second on the counter-attack before being replaced on the hour mark.
Fluminense fans applaud after Joao Pedro’s first goal for Chelsea
Despite the emotion that will clearly have been inside him after scoring his first goal since his £60m move from Brighton, the forward elected not to celebrate his stunning goal.
Pedro came through the ranks at Fluminense, and was clearly not looking to celebrate against the side who converted him from a defensive midfielder to a player capable of scoring goals like that.
Journalist Kieran Gill said that the Brazilian fans in attendance could only applaud after the Chelsea man’s goal and celebration.
He said: “No celebration from Joao Pedro out of respect for his former club. Fluminense fans applauding him in response.”
Pedro was also given a great reception when he came off the pitch, and while he was already popular with Fluminense fans, he will have earned a brand new set of supporters from West London after his brace.
Joao Pedro repays Enzo Maresca’s faith
With Delap unavailable for selection, Maresca could easily have brought Nicolas Jackson back into the starting side after not featuring in the quarter-final.
However, the manager showed faith in Pedro, despite a regular number nine role probably not being his best position on the pitch.
There is uncertainty over Jackson’s future at Stamford Bridge, with talk continuing over the Blues signing another new attacker in this transfer window.
Despite their interest elsewhere, Pedro has proven he can more than do a job up front if it is required of him in the upcoming campaign.
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