AFCON 2025
Enzo Maresca praised Joao Pedro’s match-winning debut for Chelsea, where the Brighton signing’s goals secured a spot in the Club World Cup final against either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.
The £60million Brazilian, signed just a week ago, stepped up despite cutting his holiday short, filling in for the suspended Liam Delap.
Maresca said in his post-match press conference, “We are very happy with Joao, we know that Joao is a very good player and a student who can be. We knew how good he was as a player.
“The reason why we brought him is that this season we faced many teams with a low block. His quality is very good against this kind of team.
“As a player, as a person, first of all, he is from Brazil. Most of the Brazilian players are very happy with their journey in football.
“Also, he worked with a friend of mine in Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi. I spoke with Roberto a while ago. This is exactly the way he should play.”
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