Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has revealed that Joao Pedro will be sidelined until after the November international break.
Pedro missed Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday in the Premier League, and while many thought its just a knock, the Brazilian is set to spend some weeks on the sideline.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s EFL Cup fourth tie against Liverpool, Alonso said that Pedro was suffering with a thigh issue.
While that will be perceived to be less severe than another knee problem, the 25-year-old will miss Chelsea’s upcoming matches.
Joao Pedro celebrates scoring a goal for Chelsea . (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Alonso told reporters: “Yes, he has an injury on his thigh and he is going to be out for a few weeks.
”Let’s see how many. We don’t want to predict on that, but he’s not ready for the next games.”
When asked whether it was a big blow, the Spaniard added: “Yes, of course, he is a key player. We will miss him, but we will have to be ready to deal with the injury and to be competitive and to try to win games with the players that we have available.
”We are starting tomorrow against Liverpool, a cup game. This is the situation. We are ready to fight for it and ready to prove that we can show the level.”
Pedro is expected to miss five matches. Following on from the game at Liverpool, Chelsea play host to Manchester United on Saturday and travel to Sunderland next weekend.
The Brazilian is expected to benefit from the two-week international break and he’ll be eager to make a comeback against Leeds United in the Premier League.
