Why Joao Pedro could make Chelsea debut this weekend

Joao Pedro could make his Chelsea debut this weekend against Palmeiras in the Club World Cup quarter-final.

According to GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs, Pedro passed his Chelsea medical in the USA ahead of his £60 million move. He will join his teammates today after flying in from Brazil.

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The Club World Cup rules state that Pedro can be signed mid-tournament with the registration period open from June 27 to July 3.

This means that as long as Pedro’s move is registered into Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad before Thursday, he can play as soon Saturday.

Fabrizio Romano reported that Brighton will receive £55 million plus £5 million in add-ons, whilst Pedro signs a deal seven-year deal running until June 2032.

The move will see Chelsea add a versatile forward to an attacking unit that has already been bolstered in the summer window. Enzo Maresca’s side have also signed Liam Delap from Ipswich this summer and are set to complete the signing of Jamie Bynoe-Gittens from Borussia Dortmund.

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Pedro becomes the fourth Brighton player to join the Blues in recent years, following the transfers of Marc Cucurella, Robert Sanchez and Moises Caicedo.

The 23-year-old Brazilian was targeted by Chelsea and Newcastle United but he only wanted to join the west London side.

The Brazilian forward will be leaving Brighton after two seasons at the club, where he scored 30 goals in 70 appearances.

Pedro missed out on the final five games of the season following a suspension and then a training ground altercation with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke.

Chelsea’s quarter-final clash against Palmeiras kicks off in the early hours of Saturday morning at 2am BST.

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Written by Isabelle Newnham