64 million-euro newcomer João Pedro has only been with Chelsea for a week and becomes a hero directly. And that against his home club.
Julian Buhl reports from New York
When João Pedro was replaced in the 60th minute, all emotions in the ranks of the Metlife stage in East Rutherford were really observed. The majority of the 70,556 spectators rose from their places and said goodbye to the man of the game, who had shot FC Chelsea with his two goals (18th, 56th) almost alone for the 2-0 victory against Fluminense and thus into the final of the club World Cup.
In the curve of the Brazilians, however, the applause and cheer also mingled with the applause and cheers. Why this whole confusion of emotions? Because with Pedro, one of her compatriots was responsible for that of the Rio club. Even more: Pedro had once ran for fluminense as a youth player.
But now he hit his ex-club twice in the heart. In the 18th minute, the brilliant -playing attacker fled the ball fantastically into the goal from around 20 meters. In the 56th minute, Chelsea’s new striker star followed up under the crossbar after a strong single campaign with a massive shot. After both hits, he each emphasized his hands at the cheers.
Pedro described the dilemma in which he stuck as follows: “When I was young and had nothing, they gave me the chance. They gave me everything and showed me how to work.” The 23-year-old continued at the press conference, in which he took part as a Man-of-the-Match: “I’m sorry for the boys. But that’s football, I have to do my job professional.”
He was impressively successful in his second assignment for Chelsea FC. The London club had only signed it from league competitor Brighton & Hove Albion for almost 64 million euros a week ago for almost 64 million euros. Brighton, on the other hand, had won him for around half of this sum two years earlier.
Pedro directly to the K.-O. round at the club World Cup, now paid off twice. On the one hand, the Brazilian started directly with his two goals, accelerated from zero to superstar, so to speak.
In addition, his double pack for his new club was worth at least $ 30 million (just under 26 million euros). Because the final participation brings so much prize money. In the case of a World Cup triumph, the FIFA premium would even be $ 40 million (almost 34 million euros). This means that more than half of the transfer fee would already be recorded again.
“It was a dream start for me. It couldn’t have done better,” said Pedro. He attributes the fact that he succeeded in the start of his starting elbow, to the similarity of his two coaches: Brightons Roberto de Zerbi and his new coach Enzo Maresca are “very similar coaches”. It made it easy for him to adapt to the game of his new team.
Maresca revealed further details of his plan for Pedro, who has already worked fully. He said he also spoke to de Zerbi about Pedro and his strengths.
“We knew that he was a very good player, especially against defensive opponents. That’s why we got him and that’s why he played today,” said Maresca. “He was last on vacation. Maybe that’s why he’s a little fresher than the rest of the team,” the coach continued. “I am very happy for João. He showed his quality today.”