So far this season, Joao Pedro has been Chelsea’s standout striker. However, the goalscorer has now picked up a thigh injury in training – and will be out for several weeks, according to Xabi Alonso. Emanuel Emegha could make his debut as a result.
Chelsea’s striker Joao Pedro had already been forced to sit out the league defeat in the London derby against Tottenham Hotspur due to injury; the Brazilian had picked up the injury in training the evening before the 0–2 defeat at Stamford Bridge. As the Blues have now confirmed, it is a thigh injury. He will be out for several weeks.
“He has a thigh injury and will be out for a few weeks,” explained Xabi Alonso ahead of Wednesday’s League Cup clash at his former club, Liverpool. “We’ll have to see exactly how many. We don’t want to predict that. But he won’t be available for the next few matches.”
Will Emegha make his debut in Liverpool?
So far this season, Joao Pedro has impressed with five goals in six league matches. Only Erling Haaland (nine goals) and Alexander Isak (six goals) have scored more often in the Premier League. “He’s a key player and we’ll miss him, but we have to be ready to cope with the injury, remain competitive and try to win matches with the players we have available,” emphasised his manager.
He could call upon Emanuel Emegha for the first time with the Reds. Following his move from Racing Strasbourg to London, the two-time Dutch international is still waiting to make his debut for the Blues. The 23-year-old has also been struggling with a thigh injury since the start of the season. He will now be included in the squad for the first time at Anfield Road, as Xabi Alonso revealed in advance.
Xabi Alonso expresses confidence in Penders
He also confirmed that Mike Penders will once again be between the posts. On his Premier League starting debut on Saturday, the 21-year-old made a serious blunder against Spurs – and set the defeat in motion with a bitter own goal. The Belgian unfortunately punched a corner into his own net.
“It’s a challenge to deal with both good performances and mistakes, but that’s part of the job of a professional footballer playing at the highest level,” said Xabi Alonso, expressing his confidence in the young goalkeeper. “What happened on Saturday is in the past; it’s a lesson for him and for all of us. We’ll be right behind him tomorrow.”