Joao Pedro registered 26 touches of the ball in opposition to Fluminense. Of all Chelsea forwards to have began on the Membership World Cup, solely Jackson has managed as many touches in a match.
Not all the Brazilian’s touches occurred contained in the opposition half, nonetheless – removed from it.
He was concerned all around the pitch in Tuesday’s semi-final, with seven of his touches coming inside his personal half.
“The benefit of Joao is that we knew already how good he was,” mentioned Maresca after the sport, additionally revealing he spoke to ex-Brighton supervisor Roberto de Zerbi previous to signing him.
“At the moment he performed deep however we all know he is ready to drop deep and hyperlink up the play. That is why we determined to convey him in.”
In contrast, Delap solely touched the ball twice inside his personal half after beginning Chelsea’s closing group sport in opposition to Tunis, whereas solely 4 of Jackson’s touches in opposition to Palmeiras occurred within the Blues’ half of the pitch.
Joao Pedro additionally made extra of an affect in large areas, recurrently popping up on each flanks in an effort to affect Chelsea’s build-up play.
Nearly all of Delap and Jackson’s touches, in the meantime, had been in central areas within the closing third of the pitch.
“Each staff has a unique model to play: Delap has a method, Jackson one other and I’ve my means,” Joao Pedro mentioned earlier than Tuesday’s sport.
“I believe whoever brings extra good issues to the staff goes to play.”
On this proof, Joao Pedro has greater than an outdoor likelihood of beating each Delap and Jackson to a beginning berth in Sunday’s showpiece.
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