Chelsea forward Joao Pedro will miss the club’s next games because of a thigh injury, manager Xabi Alonso said on October 27. Alonso described the expected absence as a few weeks but declined to specify a return date.
The update followed the Brazilian’s absence from Saturday’s defeat by Tottenham. He was injured in training before that match. Chelsea next visits Liverpool at Anfield in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, October 28.
Alonso also confirmed that Emmanuel Emegha will be available for the squad for the first time following his recovery from a hamstring problem. The manager said the summer signing could receive an opportunity to play, without confirming a starting lineup.
Chelsea must also prepare for the Liverpool game without the suspended Cole Palmer following his dismissal against Tottenham. The selection updates leave Alonso considering different attacking combinations, with Danny Welbeck among the available options.
BBC Sport and the Press Association independently reported the manager’s news conference. Neither account supplied a firm date for Joao Pedro’s return.
Sources: BBC Sport, republished by AOL: https://www.aol.com/articles/alonso-pedros-injury-emegha-finding-143019000.html Press Association, via The Irish News: https://www.irishnews.com/sport/soccer/xabi-alonso-seeking-chelsea-solutions-up-front-after-joao-pedro-thigh-injury-FBIG3FSHB5NPDBNCSKGYC6JOAM/