Joao Pedro has just achieved something in first start for Chelsea that he managed just once for Brighton

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Chelsea’s Club World Cup semi-final saw them bring out arguably their best performance of the season so far, with one player standing head and shoulders above the rest.

Joao Pedro was making his first start for the club since his big-money move from Brighton, and was on hand to score both goals as the Blues booked their place in the competition’s final.

Playing against his former club, Pedro didn’t celebrate either goal as he dumped the only Brazilian side left in the competition out at the final four stage.

Pedro’s performance impressed Gareth Bale, and he has made himself a shoo-in to start the final on Sunday.

Joao Pedro equals Brighton goals from outside the box tally in first Chelsea start

A lot was made of the price tag Chelsea paid to sign the Brazil man, with the Blues catching Newcastle off guard to beat them to the £60m deal.

Very few were talking about his price tag after his first start though, and he already showed that he potentially has more to show than he produced at Brighton.

His first goal for Chelsea came with a stunning strike from outside the box, with this being something he had only managed once during his time on the South Coast.

This came in an FA Cup tie against Sheffield United, capping off a hat-trick in a 5-2 win.

Goals from distance have not been a regular feature of strikers currently at Stamford Bridge. Nicolas Jackson has managed just one long-range goal for Chelsea during his two seasons at the club.

Chelsea praised for Pedro signing

The lazy stereotype would be that Chelsea have added more players who they already have when it was announced they had signed the Brazil international.

However, there has been praise for Chelsea for completing the deal, with versatility one of Pedro’s biggest strengths.

Alan Shearer is a big fan of the Pedro signing, even if the Blues did beat his beloved Newcastle to the punch when it came to bringing him in.

Maresca has already been left very impressed with what he has seen from his two appearances so far, and he will be hoping to see more of the same against either PSG or Real Madrid at the weekend.