Chelsea reach £97m Club World Cup final as Joao Pedro lives up to price tag

FLUMINENSE 0-2 CHELSEA: Joao Pedro scored two goals on his full debut for Chelsea to send them through to the Club World Cup final, where they’ll face either PSG or Real Madrid

Eight days ago Joao Pedro was sunning himself on a beach in Rio. But Pedro looks even more at home in his new surroundings at the Club World Cup after his brace put Chelsea into Sunday’s final in the MetLife Stadium.

Brazil striker Pedro scored his first goals on his first start for the club as his £60m transfer fee is already beginning to pay off. Incredibly, Chelsea have banked themselves an extra £21.9m by reaching the final – that brings them up to over £60m in prize money from this tournament – and appear to have got themselves a fantastic deal with their latest big-money signing.

Pedro is doing his best to recoup his own transfer fee as the eventual winners get a £97m jackpot. His first goal will go down as one of the best of the tournament as his 20 yard strike flew into the top corner before his second crashed in off the underside of the bar.

Chelsea have hardly been sensational in this tournament and they have benefitted from the easier half of the draw and a more comfortable route to the final. But this was their best performance to date as they were largely comfortable and no-one can doubt Pedro’s quality as the 23-year-old looks ready to embrace his chance on the big stage.

Pedro was impressive as a substitute in his first game in the quarter final against Palmeiras when he changed the game in Chelsea’s favour and this time he virtually won it by himself. In fact, this was as much of a test of their resilience in the scorching 100 degrees-plus temperatures in New York as the sun was beating down and we needed regular cooling breaks.

Fluminese are the third Brazilian team Chelsea have faced and arguably the worst but Chelsea still managed the game well and are growing into this tournament. Chelsea started well enough and pushed Fluminese back as they took an 18th minute lead. The Brazilians failed to clear their lines properly and the ball fell to Pedro on the edge of the box.

Pedro had enough time to control the ball, line up his shot and then pick his spot as he fired it beyond Fluminese’s 44-year-old keeper Fabio who could not get near it. Mind you, he probably would not have got anywhere near it 20 years ago either.

But, rather like in every other Chelsea game, Enzo Maresca’s men took their foot off the gas and nearly allowed Fluminense back into it. Maybe it is the heat and conditions. But it is definitely a worrying theme.

First, Fluminense went close when their Brazilian striker Hercules nutmegged Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez, the ball was heading in but Marc Cucurella darted back to clear off the line. Chelsea had another big scare when a Fluminese cross was headed on by Thiago Santos, the ball struck Trevoh Chalobah’s arm and referee Francois Letexier gave a penalty.

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But the French official was ordered to the VAR screen and duly changed his mind as Chalobah’s arm was by his side and it was hardly in an unnatural position. Fluminense substitute Everaldo gave them one more scare as they broke away and forced a fine save from keeper Robert Sanchez.

That was almost the cue for Chelsea to find another gear – and the decisive second goal. They defended their own box, the ball broke and Enzo Fernandez’s lovely curled pass sent Pedro racing away.

Pedro then stormed into the box, smashed a powerful shot in off the underside of the crossbar and that gave Chelsea vital breathing space. The result never looked in danger from then on. Chelsea’s new hero did limp off injured after taking a couple of heavy challenges but you suspect reaching the final will take the pain away.

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