Versatile and goal scorer: what precautions does Palmeiras need to take with João Pedro, Chelsea’s reinforcement
Attacker trained at Fluminense’s academy is in the United States and may be utilized by the English team against Palmeiras on Friday, in the Club World Cup
Chelsea announces the signing of the striker João Pedro
[https://s04.video.glbimg.com/x240/13725627.jpg]
Chelsea has announced the signing of the forward João Pedro
The Brazilian João Pedro could be the new addition for Chelsea in the quarterfinal match of the Club World Cup against Palmeiras on Friday at 10 pm (Brasília time). Acquired for 55 million pounds (approximately R$415 million)
[https://ge.globo.com/futebol/futebol-internacional/futebol-ingles/noticia/2025/07/01/joao-pedro-assina-ate-2032-e-ja-reforca-o-chelsea-diante-do-palmeiras.ghtml],
the player is in the United States, has already trained with his new teammates, and is another option for the team’s attack.
Coach Enzo Maresca stated on Thursday, on the eve of the match, that João
Pedro may get minutes in the game in Philadelphia.
[https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/palmeiras/noticia/2025/07/03/abalado-com-morte-de-diogo-jota-pedro-neto-pode-desfalcar-chelsea-contra-o-palmeiras.ghtml]
+ Check out the complete Club World Cup schedule
[https://ge.globo.com/futebol/mundial-de-clubes/]
Born in Ribeirão Preto, in the interior of São Paulo, João Pedro was trained in
Fluminense’s academy, where he turned professional in his teenage years. Despite
currently being worth a fortune and having been called up to the Brazilian national team, the striker has spent most of his career in England and is not a name widely known here.
+ Physiotherapist explains why João Pedro is in good condition
[https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/palmeiras/noticia/2025/07/03/foco-e-disciplina-fisioterapeuta-de-joao-pedro-explica-por-que-atacante-pode-enfrentar-palmeiras.ghtml]
Below, *de* breaks down the details of João Pedro’s life in the Old Continent and explains why Palmeiras needs to keep a close eye on the Brazilian striker.
+ João Pedro has played injured and gained 10kg
[https://ge.globo.com/futebol/times/palmeiras/noticia/2025/07/03/reforco-do-chelsea-joao-pedro-jogou-lesionado-ganhou-10kg-e-pode-enfrentar-palmeiras-na-copa.ghtml]
VERSATILITY ON THE FIELD
It is not uncommon to come across debates on the internet, in Portuguese or English, about João Pedro’s positioning on the field. Many wonder if the Brazilian is a center forward, a winger, a false nine, or even a playmaker.
The answer is “yes” to all these questions. After all, the player is 1.82m tall, explosive to sprint, and physically strong to shield the ball playing with his back to the goal. At Brighton, the club he played for in the last three years, João Pedro was a facilitator of attacking plays.
Last season, João was mostly fielded as a number 9. However, his tactical role was to break free from the center-backs’ marking and pick up the ball in the midfield. His movement allowed the rest of the team to advance, making it harder for the opposition to mark him and creating more opportunities for his teammates.
His good technique, ease of controlled ball possession, and ability to dribble at pace make João Pedro a versatile player, capable of adapting to various tactical setups.
In practice, if Chelsea decides to use him in the Club World Cup, Palmeiras is unlikely to have a set system to neutralize him, as João has not yet made his debut for the English team, and therefore there is no data available on his on-field partnerships with his new teammates.
TESTED AT FLUMINENSE
If João Pedro is highly valued in the market for his technical abilities, much of it is due to Fluminense’s work in the youth categories. That’s because, when living in Xerém, the boy was tested as a defensive midfielder, playmaker, and second striker before becoming a center forward.
Before becoming a scoring phenomenon in the youth teams, when he scored 22 goals in the 2018 U-17 Carioca Championship, the present striker trained in various positions, broadening his range of possibilities and tactical awareness.
Focus on the physical side
When he arrived in England in the 2019 season, the Brazilian had played only five games for Watford without contributing to a goal. The issue was not talent per se, but his physical condition.
From then on, João Pedro began to focus on his physical condition and, upon the recommendation of the Brazilian Thiago Silva, started working with the physiotherapist Caio Mello, a professional with experience with Corinthians and the Brazilian National Team.
Since then, there hasn’t been a single English season where the forward played fewer than 25 official matches.
5 de 4 João Pedro celebrates a goal for Brighton against Nottingham Forest — Photo: Reuters
João Pedro celebrates a goal for Brighton against Nottingham Forest — Photo: Reuters
CUT HIS TEETH IN THE SECOND DIVISION
In the 2021/2022 season, Watford had the second-worst campaign in the Premier League, with only 23 points in 38 games, leading to relegation to the Championship, the English second division.
Despite receiving offers to leave the UK, João Pedro accepted the challenge to stay with the club for that season and played in the lower tier, known for its physicality and intensity.
He featured in 35 games, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists – enough to draw Brighton’s attention, be sold for 30 million pounds (approximately R$ 184 million at the time), and return to the Premier League.
6 of 4 João Pedro celebrates a goal for Watford against Huddersfield Town — Photo: Divulgação / Watford
João Pedro celebrates a goal for Watford against Huddersfield Town — Photo: Divulgação / Watford
WHY WILL JOÃO PEDRO FACE PALMEIRAS?
An exceptional FIFA rule allows clubs participating in the Club World Cup to register players after the competition has begun. According to the tournament’s organizing entity, there is the possibility of adding up to two new players until Thursday, July 3rd, the day before the quarterfinals begin.
[https://ge.globo.com/futebol/mundial-de-clubes/noticia/2025/06/27/fifa-permite-duas-contratacoes-e-ate-seis-novos-inscritos-para-as-oitavas-da-copa-de-clubes.ghtml]
– “During the period from June 27th to July 3rd, 2025, clubs can replace players whose contracts have naturally expired during the competition. During this period, clubs can also add up to two new players, who will not count toward the maximum of 35 players on the final list.
– The total number of players changed or added to the final list cannot exceed six. New players and substitutes do not need to have been previously included in the club’s provisional player list. To avoid doubts, goalkeeper substitutions due to injury or illness do not count toward the allowed six changes” – states the regulation.
