Joao Pedro was tanning on a Rio beach eight days ago. But after his brace helped Chelsea advance to Sunday’s final at the MetLife Stadium, Pedro seemed even more at home in his new environment at the Club World Cup.
Brazil striker Pedro’s £60 million transfer cost is already starting to pay off after he scored his first goals on his first start for the team. By making it to the final, Chelsea has amazingly earned an additional £21.9 million, bringing their total prize money from this tournament to almost £60 million. They also seem to have gotten a great deal with their most recent high-profile acquisition.
As the final victors receive a £97 million prize, Pedro is making every effort to recover his own transfer money. Prior to his second goal crashing in off the underside of the bar, his first goal, which was a 20-yard strike that sailed into the top corner, will go down as one of the best of the tournament.
Joao Pedro double books Blues place in Club World Cup final
The easier part of the draw and a more straightforward path to the final have helped Chelsea, who haven’t exactly been outstanding in this competition. However, this was their best performance to date since they were mostly at ease and Pedro, 23, looked poised to take advantage of his opportunity on the big stage.
The third and possibly worst Brazilian team Chelsea has faced is Fluminense, yet Chelsea handled the match effectively and is improving in this tournament. Chelsea got off to a respectable start, pushing Fluminense back to take the lead in the eighteenth minute. Pedro caught the ball on the edge of the box after the Brazilians were unable to adequately clear their lines.
That nearly served as the signal for Chelsea to shift gears and score the game-winning second goal. Pedro ran away after they defended their own box, the ball broke, and Enzo Fernandez made a beautiful curled pass.
Chelsea gained much-needed breathing room as Pedro charged into the box and hammered a strong shot in off the underside of the crossbar. From that point on, the outcome never appeared to be in jeopardy. After a few hard challenges, Chelsea’s new hero did limp off wounded, but you think that getting to the final will make the pain go away.
