logo
Chelsea's Joao Pedro ready to start in Club World Cup semi after Rio beach break

Chelsea's Joao Pedro ready to start in Club World Cup semi after Rio beach break

Now with fellow forward Liam Delap suspended for Tuesday's semi-final against another Brazilian side, Fluminense, in New York, the 23-year-old is poised to make his first start.
It has been a whirlwind week for Joao Pedro, who had been on holiday when the call from Chelsea came, but he says he is primed for action.
Joao Pedro was signed for £60million from Brighton (Adam Davy/PA)
'I was on holiday,' he said. 'I was in Brazil – yes, beach, Brazilian food, spending time with friends.
'But I was always training – I have a personal trainer – so I was ready. Imagine if I didn't train and Chelsea called me to come, then it would be more difficult for me.
'If I'm going to start or not, it's not my decision, but I will try to improve, be ready for (head coach) Enzo (Maresca) and if he needs me we will see.'
Joao Pedro, who appeared as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 win over Palmeiras, began his professional career with Fluminense.
Enzo Maresca has a decision to make up front (Nell Redmond/AP)
He said: 'Of course I spent a lot of time and years there. I grew up there and it will be an unbelievable experience, but now I play for Chelsea so I need to focus on my team and who plays better will win the game.'
Joao Pedro's Brighton career ended under a cloud. He received a three-game ban after being sent off at Brentford in April and was then dropped for their last two matches following a reported training group bust-up with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke.
Asked about the latter incident, he said: 'I think the people who know me, know my character, but when two players want to win, these things happen and this is normal.
'I now play for Chelsea so I just want to talk about Chelsea. It was just two players in the moment, we both wanted to win.'
Joao Pedro was reportedly involved in a bust-up with Jan Paul van Hecke (Joe Giddens/PA)
It is not yet clear which position Joao Pedro will play at Chelsea, with Delap and Nicolas Jackson also competing for the centre-forward's spot.
'Delap has a style, Jackson another and I have my way, but I think that's good for Chelsea,' he added.
'I think who brings more good things to the team is going to play. Everyone will have to work hard and then Enzo will decide.'
Asked about this selection dilemma at his pre-match press conference, Maresca said: 'I've said many times, I prefer to have five players scoring 10, 12 goals each than just once striker scoring 40 goals.
'But I think Joao can play in all the attacking positions for us. He can play wide, he can be inside or he can play as a nine.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lioness star Lucy Bronze's mysterious 'split' from teammate before baby bombshell
Lioness star Lucy Bronze's mysterious 'split' from teammate before baby bombshell

Daily Mirror

time4 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Lioness star Lucy Bronze's mysterious 'split' from teammate before baby bombshell

The self-styled 'bossy mum' of the Lionesses squad, Lucy Bronze, has opened up about the one wish she has for her future. It comes as she has been romantically linked with some very famous players Lioness legend Lucy Bronze keeps her life away from the pitch largely under wraps, but she has been linked to some very famous sportswomen in her love life. ‌ The footaller, known as one of the best in the world, was once reportedly dating her teammate Keira Walsh but she's since found a new flame, according to reports. ‌ Despite their romance seemingly fizzling out, Lucy and Keira appear to remain amicable and are both part of the Lioness squad. It comes as Lucy dropped a major bombshell about her huge wish for the future. ‌ Lucy, 33, is known as one of the world's top female footballers - boasting over 120 international appearances and a collection of silverware, including five Champions League crowns. She transferred to Chelsea in 2024 following her time at Barcelona, and her adaptability as a right-back or wing-back continues to prove invaluable for both club and nation. ‌ Away from the football field, she was rumoured to be in a relationship with England's vice-captain and Chelsea player Keira Walsh, 28. In the summer of 2022, Bronze and Walsh both made the switch from Man City to Barcelona and competed in the World Cup as part of the Lionesses squad the following year. The pair kept their rumoured romance relatively low-key and never publicly confirmed their relationship, but shared several cosy photos together on social media over the years. Some of which included sun-soaked getaways together, including a break to Lyon, France, in 2019 and a trip to LA in May 2022, where they struck a pose on the beach. ‌ They've even spent time together with both their families, as a sweet Instagram snap showed Lucy and Keira beaming alongside their loved ones. While they never confirmed their relationship together or a split, things seemed to suddenly come to an end. Lucy is now said to be romantically linked with Spanish footballer Ona Batlle, 26. While neither of the pair has gone official, they have shared a series of sweet snaps together. ‌ One saw them on holiday together last month before the Euros kicked off in Switzerland. In the post, Lucy wrote: "Few days of sun," while Ona commented with a heart-eyed emoji. They even took a trip to Disneyland Paris together in December last year. Meanwhile, Lucy recently opened up about her future and about starting a family of her own one day. In an interview with Women's Health, she shared: "I could get a corporate job. I could try to be part of the Federation or Fifa. I could help someone like Chelsea develop the women's team." The player added: "I wouldn't say there's something I'm dying to do, apart from have a family. My brother's got two kids and that's what I'm most jealous of, seeing my niece and nephew. But there's plenty of time for that – and what that looks like, I don't know." While Lucy and Ona are major rivals during the Euros, with England and Spain competing against each other in the final on Sunday, 27 July, it doesn't seem to impact their relationship off the pitch. After Spain took victory against England during the 2023 World Cup, Ona was spotted comforting Lucy on the sidelines.

‘It's a public secret…' – Chelsea star Cole Palmer tipped for shock Man Utd transfer by Sir Alex Ferguson's former coach
‘It's a public secret…' – Chelsea star Cole Palmer tipped for shock Man Utd transfer by Sir Alex Ferguson's former coach

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

  • Scottish Sun

‘It's a public secret…' – Chelsea star Cole Palmer tipped for shock Man Utd transfer by Sir Alex Ferguson's former coach

The coach shed light on the impact Palmer could have at Utd Palm reader 'It's a public secret…' – Chelsea star Cole Palmer tipped for shock Man Utd transfer by Sir Alex Ferguson's former coach Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CHELSEA STAR Cole Palmer has been tipped for a move to the Red Devils one day by ex-Man Utd coach Rene Meulensteen. The former first-team coach cited Palmer's childhood allegiances to suggest a move back to the North West could be on the cards should he leave Stamford Bridge. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Cole Palmer is one of the Premier League's biggest stars through his performances for Chelsea and the England national team Credit: Getty 4 Rene Meulensteen says he would not be surprised to see Palmer in a Man Utd shirt one day Credit: Getty Palmer, 23, was a highly rated prospect at Man City before his move to Chelsea in the summer of 2023. In conversation with Grosvenor Sport, Meulensteen opened up on how the England international could still yet end up at Old Trafford. He said: "It's almost a public secret that Cole Palmer is a Manchester United fan. "What surprised me is how he slipped through the fingers of United with him being at Manchester City and then getting his chance at Chelsea. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL Man Utd files Amorim considers shock striker deal as bankrupt legend is given busy schedule "He is a player that can make a difference, could he play for United in the future? Yeah, I can't see why not. "Obviously he's got a long-term contract with Chelsea, but sometimes things don't work out and players and clubs fall out, then United would be interested and it could be a really good destination for him. "He is a United fan after all and he is a player that would bring United back to a higher level." Meulensteen spent six years as a first-team coach under Sir Alex Ferguson until the legendary manager's departure in 2013. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 4 Meulensteen helped coach some of the generation's most iconic players Credit: Getty 4 Palmer was integral to Chelsea's Club World Cup winning performances in the US earlier this month Credit: Getty Palmer notched 18 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for Chelsea last season. This tally includes three goals that helped Chelsea to become Club World Cup champions earlier in July. His performances earned Palmer the Player of the Tournament award - the Golden Ball.

‘It's a public secret…' – Chelsea star Cole Palmer tipped for shock Man Utd transfer by Sir Alex Ferguson's former coach
‘It's a public secret…' – Chelsea star Cole Palmer tipped for shock Man Utd transfer by Sir Alex Ferguson's former coach

The Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Sun

‘It's a public secret…' – Chelsea star Cole Palmer tipped for shock Man Utd transfer by Sir Alex Ferguson's former coach

CHELSEA STAR Cole Palmer has been tipped for a move to the Red Devils one day by ex-Man Utd coach Rene Meulensteen. The former first-team coach cited Palmer's childhood allegiances to suggest a move back to the North West could be on the cards should he leave Stamford Bridge. 4 Palmer, 23, was a highly rated prospect at Man City before his move to Chelsea in the summer of 2023. In conversation with Grosvenor Sport, Meulensteen opened up on how the England international could still yet end up at Old Trafford. He said: "It's almost a public secret that Cole Palmer is a Manchester United fan. "What surprised me is how he slipped through the fingers of United with him being at Manchester City and then getting his chance at Chelsea. "He is a player that can make a difference, could he play for United in the future? Yeah, I can't see why not. "Obviously he's got a long-term contract with Chelsea, but sometimes things don't work out and players and clubs fall out, then United would be interested and it could be a really good destination for him. "He is a United fan after all and he is a player that would bring United back to a higher level." Meulensteen spent six years as a first-team coach under Sir Alex Ferguson until the legendary manager's departure in 2013. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 4 4 Palmer notched 18 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for Chelsea last season. This tally includes three goals that helped Chelsea to become Club World Cup champions earlier in July. His performances earned Palmer the Player of the Tournament award - the Golden Ball.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store