New signature Joao Pedro could make his debut for Chelsea if they extend acquaintances with Brazilian outfit Palmeiras in the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup on Friday.
The 23-year-old Brazilian attacker completed a move to Chelsea from Brighton and Hove Albion for a reported £ 60 million ($ 79 million) on Wednesday and immediately started training with Enzo Maresca's team in Miami.
That is where they have prepared for the last eight of the tournament in the United States, before traveling back to Philadelphia on Thursday prior to the collision with Sao Paulo Side Palmeiras.
“I am very enthusiastic to play for Chelsea, to fight for every title, every tournament and play in the Champions League. Hopefully we will win as many trophies as possible,” Joao Pedro told the club's website after she had placed Pen on paper with an eight -year contract.
There is the tempting possibility that a first trophy for the new signing could come in just 10 days if Chelsea is completely in the lucrative new competition of FIFA.
The London club defeated Palmeiras in the final of the Old Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi at the beginning of 2022, although none of the players are involved in them that day are still there.
New owners came within a few months after that success and the Chelsea team has since made major changes, with Joao Pedro only the last sight of many to arrive.
He comes from the state of Sao Paulo, so is familiar with Palmeiras, Copa Libertadores winners in 2020 and 2021.
Joao Pedro also started his career at Fluminense, with whom they could be confronted in the semi-final of the club World Cup-Het Team by Rio de Janeiro takes it on Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia in their last-piece band.
Estevao to face the future team
Chelsea has already confronted with the Brazilian opposition in Philadelphia on this club World Cup and lost, but the 3-1 reverse by Flamengo did not prevent them from going beyond their group.
The side of Maresca then conquered a long storm delay to beat Benfica with 4-1 after reaching extra time in Charlotte in the last 16 and the quarterfinals.
Joao Pedro will now hope to appear in an attack that has already been strengthened at the World Cup with the addition of Liam Delap, the former striker of Ipswich Town who scored his first goal for his new team in the 3-0 win over Esperance of Tunisia.
Another new attacker will participate after the tournament, but teenage wing Estevao Willian will be on Friday in the opposition ranges for a competition that takes place on the American fourth July holiday, in the city where the declaration of independence was adopted in 1776.
Eybrauwen were erected when Estevao, who mainly plays from the right flank, was replaced by coach Abel Ferreira in the second half before Palmeiras Botafogo started beating in the last 16 in extra time.
It was his replacement Paulinho who then scored the winner, but he experiences fitness problems and is not expected to start in the quarterfinals.
That means that Estevao, seen as the most exciting young talent in Brazil, should be on the kick -off for Palmeiras, who, in contrast to Chelsea, has trained in the city where Friday's game will take place.
They have used the facilities of Super Bowl winners the Philadelphia Eagles and will hope that part of the magic of the NFL side is rubbing them.
“The coach has been talking about this since the start of the season,” said Palmeiras -defender Bruno Fuchs about the bid of his team club World Cup.
“We have a dream and dreaming costs nothing.”
However, Palmeiras has also suspended defensive headache, with Centrum-Back and Captain Gustavo Gomez together with left back Joaquin Piquerez.