João Pedro Set to Make Chelsea Debut in Club World Cup Clash
João Pedro is likely to wear Chelsea colours in their Club World Cup match against Palmeiras, following the completion of his switch from Brighton.
The talented Brazilian attacker has put pen to paper on an eight-year deal. Chelsea paid around £60 million for his services, marking a major move.
Pedro flew straight from Brazil to the United States, where he underwent his medical tests. With everything now settled, he’s ready to be involved in the quarter-final in Philadelphia, which kicks off at 02:00 BST on Saturday.
A product of Fluminense’s academy, Pedro was signed by Brighton from Watford in 2023 for nearly £30 million – their record signing at the time. He made a solid impact, scoring 30 goals in 70 appearances.
While sharing his excitement, Pedro said:
“This club is known for its rich success. So many top players have been here. I’m proud to join, and when you play for Chelsea, you play to win.”
Chelsea Close In on Gittens – But Not for This Tournament
Chelsea’s £55 million offer for English winger Jamie Gittens has been accepted by Borussia Dortmund. However, he’s not allowed to take part in the Club World Cup since he’s already featured in it with his current team.
Ahead of the tournament, Chelsea also brought in Liam Delap, Mamadou Sarr, and Dario Essugo. All three were signed and registered in time for the group matches.
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler commented on the transfer:
“It’s a win for everyone involved. We’ve received a strong return on our investment, and the team still has enough attacking power. For João, it’s a chance to play in the Champions League and boost his Brazil national team chances ahead of the World Cup.”
