Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Joao Pedro will miss several weeks with a thigh injury, and this news has triggered a wave of criticism regarding the club's summer decision to sell Nicolas Jackson.
Jackson, who started the season with a bang, netting five goals and providing three assists in just six Premier League matches, has now left Chelsea thin up front after his departure. Injuries have forced Pedro to miss two matches already, including the recent 2-0 defeat to Tottenham, raising questions about the club's transfer strategy.
In discussing Pedro's condition, Alonso stated:
Yes, he has a thigh injury and will be out for several weeks. Let's see how long exactly; we don't want to make any predictions on that. He's a key player for us. We'll miss him, but we have to be ready to cope with the injury, stay competitive, and strive to win games with the players we have available. Tomorrow, we face Liverpool in the cup. That's the situation. We're ready to fight for this and show we can perform at the required level.
In light of this setback, former Premier League scout Brian King has voiced his displeasure with Chelsea's hierarchy for allowing Jackson to leave. Currently playing for Aston Villa, Jackson has already scored seven goals in all competitions this season, prompting King to question the rationale behind Chelsea's decisions:
You've lost your main player up front, Joao Pedro. So what on earth were they thinking letting Jackson go? You can't move forward with Morgan Rogers. Rogers is a player who likes to burst into space rather than lead the line.
King further pointed out the strangeness of parting ways with such a pivotal forward, especially given that Chelsea now have only one recognised striker at their disposal. He expressed disbelief that the club couldn’t retain both players in their squad.
Adding to their options, Chelsea do have experienced striker Danny Welbeck, who has scored three goals in the League Cup this season. However, he only entered the fray against Tottenham in the dying moments, failing to impact a game that was already beyond reach.
