Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Joao Pedro will miss several weeks due to a thigh injury. Ahead of their League Cup tie with Liverpool, the Chelsea boss provided insights into his attacking alternatives and the welcomed return of Emanuel Emega.
What’s the latest on Joao Pedro’s condition?
Yes, he has a thigh injury, and he will be out for a few weeks.
We will see exactly how long it will be. We don’t want to speculate right now, but he will definitely not be ready for the upcoming matches.
How significant is this loss for your side?
Of course, he’s a key player. We will miss him.
But we must be prepared to deal with injuries, stay competitive, and aim to win with the players we have available.
We kick off with the match against Liverpool in the cup.
This is the situation. We are ready to fight and prove we can reach the necessary level.
Are you confident that the squad has enough depth to cope without him?
Yes, indeed.
That’s precisely why the squad is formed the way it is.
Some players are crucial, but situations like this arise, and we need to seek solutions, not excuses.
Will Danny Welbeck and Estevao Willian be involved?
They are both in the squad, so any player on the bench can step onto the pitch.
What led to you not considering them for Saturday?
I evaluate all available options, what we’ve worked on during the week, and the strengths of each player to pick the best lineup for each specific match.
That was the case on Saturday, and it will be the same against Liverpool.
Any updates on Pep Chavarria and Emanuel Emega?
Emanuel is in the squad.
How crucial is Emega's return alongside Danny Welbeck now that Joao Pedro is sidelined?
It’s very important that Emanuel is available again because he has unique qualities.
He needs to feel fully ready.
Over the last couple of weeks, around ten days, he has trained well, which has laid a solid physical foundation.
Now we want to introduce him gradually into the game, and perhaps he will get a chance to play in the upcoming match.
Will you need to explore other options given Joao Pedro's injury? Perhaps like against Tottenham, where Morgan Rogers could have played?
Yes. We have strikers, but there are also other players capable of playing in that position.
It’s about finding the right balance between their strengths and how they link up with teammates.
We’ve tried Morgan alongside Cole.
Sometimes you need to be creative, try different options, and see how they work.
