Every word Enzo Maresca said on Joao Pedro goals, Chelsea £80m prize, Moises Caicedo injury news

Enzo Maresca has conducted his post-match press conference after his Chelsea team booked their place at the FIFA Club World Cup final on Sunday.

Two stunning goals from new signing Joao Pedro were enough for the Blues at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Here is every word Maresca had to say on the victory, as well as an injury concern for Moises Caicedo.

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We are very happy, we are very proud to play the final on Sunday. The reason why is because this is the Club World Cup, the best clubs in the world is here. For us to be there on Sunday is something that we are very proud of, so we are very happy.

How much did Joao Pedro impress you?

We are very happy with Joao, we know that Joao is a very good player and a student that he can be. Because he has qualities inside, like today. I think another thing that is important about Joao is that he was on holiday, so it's a bit more fresh compared to the rest. So it's something that is important to be aware of that. So, happy for Joao.

Latest on Moises Caicedo and Dario Essugo?

Dario had a muscle problem yesterday during the session, so he is going to be ready for next season. Moi, with his ankle, when it happened I told him, because there were just two or three games to go, I told him that we could play with 10 players. It's important that we don't get too worked up because we have a game on Sunday, but we felt that we could try and we can play. Hopefully he can be fit on Sunday, we'll see.

How important is a big squad in this competition?

Yes, I think that the more games we play together, the better we will be. So we are probably having a good time, we are playing as a team together and that is good. And Joao, we have brought him because we know that against a team that defends very low, he has quality to decide.

When you play every three days in this competition you need a big squad, you need all the players. But also they have to be ready and they show that they are a good player but also we can count on them, how professional they are. It is something that we need also for the future.

Is this the competition Chelsea needs to continue the club's history?

Yes, the last few years have not been what the club deserves or what the history of this club says. This year, luckily, it has gone quite well, also in the Champions League. In the Conference League we managed to win it and now we are in this final and we are in the Champions League. We are very proud to help the club to get back to where it deserves to be.

Christopher Nkunku didn't play much for you last season. He has just had three starts now at this competition, so he seems to be playing a different role today. Is he finding a new momentum, a new place in the team?

We try to give them the chance when they deserve. In this moment, if Christo is playing, it is because he deserves to play. Again, I think today was good, he had some moments that he couldn't score, we had some moments that he had some chances. But overall I think he had a good game.

Chelsea have made £80million worth of prize money...

Not me [laughs].

How does that impact your plans?

No, personally I don't. I am happy for the club, but I don't care, because when I prepare a game, I don't prepare the game thinking if we win, we have more money. Because it is something for the club, it is not for us, unfortunately. We already have a clear idea about what we need to improve for next season. And hopefully we can have it.

At the end of this first edition of the Club World Cup, you entered the final with European teams. Does this reflect the tournament?

No, I don't think so. I think the teams from South America have shown to be a competitive team. Yesterday I told a colleague of yours how many games we have played and how many they have played. I still think the same.

In Brazil, Fluminense played a game on December 8 and the next on January 12. From December 8 to January 12, there is a break, a vacation for the players. Our players had a vacation on June 1, 2024, 13 months ago. Brazilian players had a vacation five or six months ago. What I would say to your Brazilian colleague is the reality. It is not the same, the energy is different.

Our players had a vacation on June 1, 2024. South American players had a vacation. Fluminense played on December 8 and January 12. I think the levels are close. With more energy, we can compete. Fluminense played on December 8 and January 12. From December 8 to January 12, there is a vacation for Brazilian players. Our players had a vacation on June 1, 2024. If you don't want to see this, there is a difference of energy between the Brazilian team and the European team.

What is Joao Pedro like as a person?

We knew how good he was as a player. The reason why we brought him is because this season we faced many teams with a low block. His quality is very good against this kind of team. As a player, as a person, first of all, he is from Brazil. Most of the Brazilian players are very happy with their journey with football.

Also, he worked with a friend of mine in Brighton, Roberto De Zerbi. I spoke with Roberto a while ago. This is exactly the way he should play. It doesn't mean that he is going to be all season like this. It's not going to happen. But it's good to have him also as an option.