Maresca will be glad to see Chelsea making big progress on new signingsplaceholder image
Maresca will be glad to see Chelsea making big progress on new signings | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea’s proposed new striker signing could make his debut for the club as soon as this weekend.
Enzo Maresca is currently hard at work with FIFA Club World Cup work, with Chelsea now in the quarter-finals after their extra-time win over Benfica on Saturday evening. The Blues won 4-1 and had to wait around two hours due to a weather delay during the game.
Chelsea will now play Palmeiras in the last eight on Saturday, and they could yet have a new signing at their disposal - at least in the best case scenario. Fabrizio Romano has reported: “Understand Chelsea have now intensified talks to advance on João Pedro deal! Chelsea are focused on João deal with Brighton after signing Jamie Bynoe-Gittens with medical yesterday. Newcastle had two proposals rejected by Brighton… and Chelsea now pushing.”
With Chelsea appearing to be in the driving spot, journalist Ben Jacobs has pointed out that, if the Blues get the deal done quickly, they can actually put him in their squad for the last few rounds of the FIFA Club World Cup. He posted on X: “Chelsea haven’t entirely ruled out trying to sign Joao Pedro before the second Club World Cup registration window closes on July 3.
“Talks with Brighton ongoing with Pedro understood to be keen on the move. Chelsea content if they have to wait longer, but pushing in the next few days in case Pedro can fly out to America and potentially feature in the tournament or simply spend time with the squad.”
Whether Chelsea would consider including Pedro in their squad is another matter, and there would be risks with such a move. Pedro has likely been on holiday for the last couple of weeks, and he would be coming in from the cold and playing at a high intensity in hot conditions and in a very different time zone. All of those factors pose serious risks to players.
Ultimately, it could be a risk that the Blues totally avoid to make sure Pedro, should he sign, goes into pre-season and the summer preparations in good condition and with the best chance of being fit for the new season. Maresca will also welcome back Nicolas Jackson from suspension for the Palmeiras game, while Christopher Nkunku found the net against Benfica.
Chelsea have not completed the deal for Pedro yet, in any case, and given the size of the transfer, it could take some time to go through, especially with Newcastle United also said to be pushing for a deal. It would be a big ask to get everything agreed, all the paperwork signed and for Pedro to board a flight of around eight hours to link up with his proposed new teammates in Philadelphia before Saturday, but who knows? The striker may be fit and raring to go.
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