Side A · Liner notes
Joao Pedro injury update after missing Chelsea vs Spurs
Football · Words by Chris Davie · Released
Joao Pedro is not in the squad for Chelsea’s Premier League match vs Spurs (MB Media/Getty) Joao Pedro has been ruled out of Chelsea’s Premier League game against Tottenham on Saturday due to injury. ...
Joao Pedro has been ruled out of Chelsea’s Premier League game against Tottenham on Saturday due to injury.
The Brazil international has been one of Chelsea’s standout performers this season with five goals and three assists.
But the 25-year-old, who was pictured in training on Friday, has not been included in Chelsea’s matchday squad for Spurs’ visit to Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Speaking before kick-off, Xabi Alonso said: ‘He felt something yesterday in training.
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‘At the moment, he has some fluid [around the injury], so we have to do some tests to see how big is the injury is. For sure, it’s a disappointment, but we need to carry on.’
In September, Pedro had suffered a knee injury which ruled him out of Chelsea’s defeat to Brentford, as well as the international break with Brazil.
Chelsea vs Spurs confirmed line-ups
Chelsea: Penders; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill, Hato; Caicedo (c), Henderson; Neto, Palmer, Quenda; Rogers
Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Gusto, Palestra, Fofana, Barco, Nicoll-Jazuli, Lavia, Estevao, Welbeck
Spurs: Kinsky; Gray, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Robertson; Tonali, Fernandes; Kudus, Maddison, Tel; Marmoush
Subs: Dubravka, Senesi, Gallagher, Solanke, Kulusevski, Porro, Davies, Olusesi, Williams-Barnett
Xabi Alonso has made two changes to this starting line-up from the 2-0 win over Everton last Saturday with Mike Penders replacing Emi Martinez in goal after the Argentine required surgery on his jaw.
In attack, Geovany Quenda has been handed his first Premier League start of the season.
‘He has many qualities,’ Alonso said of Quenda before kick-off.
‘He attacks the space well, is good with the ball, and is a threat. He’s been training well, and all the players will have their opportunities. Sometimes, they have to be more patient. Geo has been patient, and today it’s a big game to make his debut as a starter.
‘We want to have mobility and to be fluid, so that we are not static and for sure with Geo we have those qualities.’
Spurs, meanwhile, have made two changes from the 3-1 win at home to Coventry City on Monday night – their first in the Premier League this season.
Mateus Fernandes comes in for the injured Tosin Adarabioyo with Spurs moving to a back four.
Matys Tel starts ahead of Dominic Solanke, who drops to the bench.
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