Maresca reveals Joao Pedro & Lavia in contention for clash against Palmeiras

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has addressed Joao Pedro’s availability for Friday’s Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Brazilian international joined the Blues from Brighton & Hove Albion in a £60 million deal and has been added to the squad during the tournament’s second registration window.

Ahead of the crucial clash in Philadelphia, the Italian hinted that the 23-year-old, who cut short his summer break to link up with the squad in the United States, could be available for selection.

"Joao's situation is a bit strange or different because he was on holiday," Maresca told the media.

"Even if he was working, it's not the same when you work for yourself compared to when you work with the team. 

"But we are very happy with Joao. In the last two days, he worked with us and we'll see if we need him (on Friday) or we have a chance to give him some minutes, we're going to give him some minutes." 

A versatile forward capable of leading the line or playing as a shadow striker, Pedro brings Brazilian flair and proven Premier League experience to the Stamford Bridge giants, having previously made his mark at Fluminense before moving to Watford and then the Seagulls.

He boasts 22 goals and 10 assists in 89 English top-flight appearances.

He said: "I grew up watching the Premier League, and Chelsea were a club that won trophies. So, when you join Chelsea, you can only think one thing: to win trophies. Every competition, you have to think, "I play for Chelsea and that is my ambition".

Meanwhile, Maresca revealed that a final decision on Romeo Lavia’s fitness will be made closer to kick-off before determining whether he will feature against Abel Ferreira’s side.

"Romeo, not sure he can be fit. We're going to try (today). He had small problems at the end of the last game against Benfica and it's just a muscle problem,” he added.

"And as I said, (on Friday), we'll see if he's fit. Otherwise, we're going to find a different solution because Moi (Caicedo) is suspended also. So, we need to find some different solution."

Before his injury setback, the Belgian international had appeared in all four of the Londoners’ matches in the United States.

In Chelsea’s Round of 16 victory over Benfica, Maresca adjusted Cole Palmer’s role, deploying the Englishman on the left rather than in his usual position behind the striker. 

He clarified that this is a role the 23-year-old has played before and believes it doesn’t change his overall impact on the pitch.

"Yeah. Cole can play on both sides. He was playing against Benfica in the left pocket," Maresca added.

"He used to play in the right pocket. He just changed right and left. But during the season, he played already different games in the left pocket. I remember the game at home against Newcastle, I think. 

"He played in the left pocket. Against Benfica, he started a little bit wider than to come inside in the pocket. 

"But Cole's position was exactly the same position that he is playing all season. The only difference is that he was on the left side than the right side."

English and Brazilian clubs have faced each other seven times previously in the FIFA Club World Cup, with English teams winning four of those encounters and Brazilian sides three.

English teams had secured three consecutive victories heading into this tournament, before Flamengo handed Chelsea a 3-1 defeat in the group stage.