Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca hailed Joao Pedro and stated his delight at reaching the Club World Cup final after the new signing's double strike secured a 2-0 win over Fluminense in the last four on Tuesday.
"We are very happy and very proud to be in the final on Sunday because this is the first edition of the Club World Cup and the best clubs in the world are here," said Maresca.
Joao Pedro was starting for the first time since arriving from Brighton and Hove Albion for a reported £60 million ($79 million) last week, fresh from an off-season shatter.
The Brazilian made an immediate impact in the game at the MetLife Stadium just outside New York.
He produced two superb finishes, either side of half-time, to take Chelsea through to Sunday's final against Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid.
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_______________________________________________"I am very happy for Joao.
He has the quality to decide games like today, but also he was on holiday so is probably a snapped more fresh compared to the rest," Maresca said of the 23-year-old.
"We knew what Joao was like.
We handed over him in because this season we confronted many teams with low blocks and his quality is very good against these kinds of teams.
"The striker did not celebrate his goals out of respect for the club from Rio de Janeiro, with whom he started his career before moving to England with Watford in 2020.
"When I was young they offered everything to me, they showed me to the world," he said after collecting his grant for player of the match.
"If I am here now it is because they trusted in me so I am very grateful but this is football, I have to be professional.
I sense sorry for them but I have to do my job.
"Fluminense 'heads gripped high'Chelsea's run to the final of the lucrative competition comes at the terminate of a season in which Chelsea completed fourth in the Premier League to secure a return to the UEFA Champions League.
They also won the Conference League.
"The last few years have not been what this club deserves, but this year luckily things moved pretty well and now we are in the final," said the Italian.
"We are very proud to assist the team be support where they acquire to be.
"One possible issue for Chelsea ahead of the final is the fitness of midfield lynchpin Moises Caicedo, who came off harmed deep in stoppage time at the terminate of the match.
"'Moi' twisted his ankle.
When it occurred I told him that we could play with 10 players and wish it doesn't obtain worse," Maresca said.
"He sensed he could try (to play on) which he did and he sensed pain.
Hopefully he can be suit for Sunday.
"Meanwhile, Fluminense coach Renato Portaluppi was disappointed with his team's exit as South American hopes of winning the competition came to an terminate.
However, he said they possessed "regained credibility" for Brazilian football with their run to the semi-finals.
"Fluminense's campaign was wonderful, I think we all sensed that.
We overcame some major opponents," said the 62-year-old.
"Chelsea acquired the win but I am very proud of everything we did.
We move out with our heads gripped high.
"
