New Chelsea signing Joao Pedro has netted a stunning first goal for Enzo Maresca's team in the Blues' Club World Cup semi-final against Fluminense.
Chelsea reached a £55million agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend with the Brazil international completing his medical in the United States. Pedro put pen to paper on an eight-year contract at Stamford Bridge after turning down Newcastle United in favour of Maresca's men.
The Blues registered the 23-year-old attacker in time for him to be included in their Club World Cup squad. He made his debut for Chelsea on Saturday after coming on as a substitute during their 2-1 win over Palmeiras in the last eight clash.
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And the 23-year-old has got his new team off to a flyer in the last four. Pedro netted with a stunning strike after 20 minutes on Tuesday in New Jersey.
Out of respect for his former team, he chose not to celebrate, raising his hands instead. Blues boss Maresca certainly liked it, though, and his facial reaction showed his appreciation.
Pedro's impressive start to life at Chelsea comes after he admitted to not slacking off this summer while waiting for Brighton to sell him. He stayed in shape after going to Rio de Janeiro on holiday.
“I was in Brazil with my friends but I have a personal trainer and I trained, so I was ready,” he said on Monday. “Imagine if I didn’t train and Chelsea called me to come – then it would be more difficult for me.
"I made my debut and I think I showed I am ready. In Brazil the Club World Cup is very important because normally the teams there don’t play teams from Europe. I will always take this tournament seriously.”
The talented forward also admitted that the Blues' history of winning trophies appealed to him most about joining the west London club.
He added: "I grew up watching the Premier League, and Chelsea were a club that won trophies. So, when you join Chelsea, you can only think one thing: to win trophies."
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