By News18
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has left the decision entirely up to forward Pedro Neto on whether he will participate in Friday鈥檚 Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras, as he mourns the tragic death of his Portugal teammate Diogo Jota.
鈥淚t is completely Pedro鈥檚 decision,鈥 Maresca stated when questioned about Neto鈥檚 involvement in the match at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Liverpool star Jota, along with his younger brother Andre Silva, tragically passed away after their vehicle veered off a motorway in northern Spain and caught fire on Thursday.
Neto, who has netted three goals in three appearances at the Club World Cup, recently played alongside Jota in the Portugal squad that triumphed in the UEFA Nations League last month. The two also shared the pitch at Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in their careers.
鈥淚 had a chat this morning with Pedro. Any decision he takes is the correct one and we will support him,鈥 an emotional Maresca conveyed.
Joao Pedro to debut instead?
In other news, new Chelsea signing Joao Pedro might make his debut against Palmeiras despite only just joining his new teammates after an off-season break.
鈥淛oao鈥檚 situation is a bit strange, or different, because he was on holiday,鈥 Maresca explained.
The 23-year-old Brazilian forward joined Chelsea from Brighton and Hove Albion for a reported 拢60 million ($79 million) on Wednesday and has since started training with the squad.
His last game for Brighton was on April 19 in the Premier League, although he continued to train alone while on holiday.
鈥淓ven if he was working, it is not the same working by yourself, but we are very happy with Joao,鈥 Maresca added. 鈥淭he last two days he has worked with us and we will see if we can give him some minutes tomorrow.鈥
Chelsea will be without the suspended Moises Caicedo in midfield against Palmeiras and will also face Estevao Willian, who will join the London club after the tournament.
Maresca said the presence of the teenage Brazil winger does not affect his game preparations.
鈥淲e are used to preparing games thinking about the team and the players on the other side and we have done the same here,鈥 said the Italian.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 care about him being with us after this competition. We are just thinking about trying to beat Palmeiras.鈥
With AFP Inputs