Joao Pedro arrival boosts Chelsea ahead of Palmeiras Club World Cup test

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Chelsea players during training at the Club World Cup.

PHOTO: REUTERS

PHILADELPHIA – New signing Joao Pedro could make his debut for Chelsea when they renew acquaintances with Brazilian outfit Palmeiras in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup on July 4.

The 23-year-old Brazilian forward completed a move to the Blues from Brighton Hove Albion for a reported £60 million fee on July 2 and immediately began training with Enzo Maresca’s squad in Miami.

That is where they have been preparing for the last eight of the tournament in the United States, before travelling back to Philadelphia on July 3 ahead of the clash with Sao Paulo side Palmeiras.

“I’m very excited to play for Chelsea, to fight for every title, every tournament and play in the Champions League. Hopefully, we win as many trophies as possible,” Pedro told the club’s website after putting pen to paper on an eight-year contract.

There is the tantalising possibility that a first trophy for the new signing could come in just 10 days’ time, if Chelsea go all the way in FIFA’s lucrative new competition.

The English Premier League side beat Palmeiras in the final of the old Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi in early 2022, although none of the players involved for them that day are still there.

New owners came in a few months after that success and Chelsea’s squad has overgone major changes since, with Pedro just the latest face of many to arrive.

He comes from the state of Sao Paulo so he is familiar with Palmeiras, who were Copa Libertadores winners in 2020 and