Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has tackled the availability of Joao Pedro for the quarterfinals of the World Cup of Friday against Palmeiras on Lincoln Financial Field.
The Brazilian international joined the blues of Brighton & Hove Albion in a £ 60 million deal and was added to the team during the second registration star of the tournament.
In anticipation of the crucial collision in Philadelphia, the Italian hinted that the 23-year-old, who broke his summer vacation to join the team in the United States, could be available for selection.
“Joao's situation is a bit strange or different because he was on vacation,” Maresca told the media.
“Even when he was working, it is not the same if you work for yourself compared to when you work with the team.
“But we are very happy with Joao. In the past two days he has worked with us and we will see if we need him (on Friday) or we have the chance to give him a few minutes, we will give him a few minutes.”
A versatile attacker who is able to lead the line or play as a shadow striker, brings Pedro Brazilian flair and proven Premier League experience to the Stamford Bridge Giants, after he had previously left his stamp at Fluminense before he moved to Watford and then the Seagulls.
He has 22 goals and 10 assists in 89 English top flight performances.
He said: “I grew up watching the Premier League, and Chelsea was a club that won trophies. So if you become a member of Chelsea, you can only think one thing: to win trophies. You have to think every competition,” I play for Chelsea and that is my ambition. “
In the meantime, Maresca revealed that a final decision about the fitness of Romeo Lavia will be taken closer to the kick -off before he decides whether he will appear on the side of Abel Ferreira.
“Romeo, I'm not sure if he can be fit. We're going to try (today). He had small problems at the end of the last match against Benfica and it's just a muscle problem,” he added.
“And as I said, (on Friday), we will see if he is fit. Otherwise we will find another solution because Moi (Caicedo) has also been suspended. So we have to find another solution.”
Before his damage to an injury, the Belgian international had appeared in all four matches of the Londoners in the United States.
In Chelsea's round of 16 victory over Benfica, Maresca adapted the role of Cole Palmer and put the Englishman on the left instead of his usual position behind the striker.
He clarified that this is a role that the 23-year-old played earlier and believes that it does not change his overall impact on the field.
“Yes. Cole can play on both sides. He played against Benfica in the left,” Maresca added.
“He used to play in the right bag. He just changed to the right and left. But during the season he already played several games in the left. I remember the game at home against Newcastle, I think.
“He played in the left. Against Benfica he started to come in a little wider than to enter the bag.
“But Cole's position was exactly the same position that he plays throughout the season. The only difference is that he was on the left than the right side.”
English and Brazilian clubs have confronted each other seven times before in the FIFA Club World Cup, with English teams who won four of those encounters and Brazilian sides three.
English teams had achieved three consecutive victories on the way to this tournament, before Flamengo Chelgo handed over a 3-1 defeat in the group stage.