Joao Pedro would love to open his account for Chelsea in the Club World Cup semi-final on Tuesday, but won’t be celebrating if he does so.
The 23-year-old has signed for the Blues from Brighton this summer in a deal worth a reported initial £55m, plus £5m in add-ons.
The Brazil international was on holiday in Rio de Janeiro when the chance to sign for Chelsea emerged, but he flew to America to get the deal done, join his new teammates and has already made his debut for the club.
Pedro came off the bench in the Club World Cup quarter-final win over Palmeiras and is hoping to feature again, possibly even from the start, against Fluminense in the semi-finals.
However, he has a connection with the Brazilian side having come through the youth ranks at the club, before making his senior debut there in 2019.
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He scored 10 goals for the senior team before leaving to join Watford, but out of respect for his first professional club, he does not intend to celebrate if he scores against them.
‘No, I don’t think so. It’s not about trying to end anyone’s dream, but I have to do my job. I need to do my work,’ Pedro said about the potential of celebrating a goal against Fluminense.
‘Of course, I’m very grateful for everything Fluminense has done for me, but I can’t stop doing my job.
‘I don’t know how things will play out — anything can happen. I know how much it means to Fluminense, and I believe it’s just as important for us too. So, may the best team win, and may it be a great match and a great show for everyone.’
Pedro told BBC Sport about how the whirlwind move came about, explaining: ‘I was on holidays, but I was always training and if I’m going to start or not, it’s not my decision but I will try to improve, be ready for Enzo and if he needs me so we will see tomorrow.
‘I was in Brazil, with my friends. In Rio but I have a personal trainer and I trained as well so I was ready. Imagine if I didn’t train and Chelsea called me to come then it would be more difficult for me. I was on holiday with friends and family but I made sure I was ready.
‘I knew Chelsea had an interest in me so that’s why I was training harder and when they called me to come here I was ready, not 100% but ready enough to come here and train.’
Blues boss Enzo Maresca explained giving Pedro his debut just two days after signing for the club, saying: ‘The reason why we decided to involve him is because since he arrived, even if he was on holiday, he looks sharp, he looks good, and we wanted to give him some minutes.
Joao Pedro’s Premier League stats
Appearances: 89
Goals: 22
Assists: 10
Yellow cards: 7
Red cards: 1
‘Also, I think with him and Noni (Madueke) inside the pitch, we were much better.
‘With Joao, we knew him very well. The reason why he’s here is because we like him and we are sure that he’s going to help us.’
The winners of the Chelsea vs Fluminense clash at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will face either Real Madrid or PSG in the Club World Cup final.
The meeting between the two European heavyweights takes place on Wednesday at the same venue as the first semi-final. The final is scheduled for Sunday.
Fluminense impressively beat Inter Milan 2-0 in the last 16 before downing Saudi side Al-Hilal to reach the semis.
Chelsea beat Benfica 4-1 after extra-time to set-up their clash with Palmeiras, which they won 2-1.