Chelsea have been dealt a significant injury setback with Joao Pedro sidelined for several weeks due to a thigh problem. The Brazil international was a surprise absentee last Saturday as Chelsea fell to a 2-0 home defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in his absence.
Key matches ahead
Chelsea face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday night before hosting Manchester United in Premier League action. Pedro is set to miss both fixtures, with head coach Xabi Alonso confirming the striker faces a spell on the sidelines.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Alonso said: “He has an injury of his thigh and is going to be out for a few weeks. Let’s see how many. He’s not ready for the next games. He’s a key player. We’ll miss him. We have to be ready to deal with the injury, starting tomorrow with Liverpool.”
Pedro's impact this season
Pedro has recorded five goals and three assists in seven appearances this season, leading Alonso’s attack ahead of Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers. In his absence against Spurs, the Blues boss adjusted his setup, opting to start Geovany Quenda ahead of Danny Welbeck, with the former Brighton player introduced only in the final minutes as defeat loomed.
Explaining the decision not to start Welbeck despite Pedro’s absence, Alonso said: “I assess all the options we have, what we have been preparing all the week, to choose the best team for each game. That was the case on Saturday and that is the case tomorrow.”
