Joao Pedro out of Chelsea team to face Tottenham in London derby
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Joao Pedro has been left out of Chelsea’s squad for their London derby with Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The striker, who has scored five goals and made three assists in the Premier League this season, suffered a knee injury which ruled him out of Chelsea’s match with Brentford ahead of the September international break, and he withdrew from Brazil duty.
He returned to the Chelsea team to score twice against Bournemouth and then played 90 minutes against Everton last weekend. But Joao Pedro is not involved for the clash with Spurs due to an injury, which is being assessed by the club.
Danny Welbeck may have expected to start in Joao Pedro’s place, but instead right winger Geovany Quenda comes into the Chelsea line-up, with either Cole Palmer or Morgan Rogers likely to lead the line through the centre.
Xabi Alonso made no mention of Joao Pedro’s fitness during his pre-match press conference, but did confirm that Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will be out for several weeks after surgery on a fractured jaw, which brings Mike Penders into the side.
Martinez was taken to hospital following a collision with defender Jarrad Branthwaite during last weekend’s 2-0 win over Everton.
“He’s been better; he had the surgery. We still need to wait. (He will be out for] a few weeks. Hopefully less than more,” Alonso told a press conference on Friday.
Line-ups
Chelsea XI: Penders, Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill, Neto, Caicedo, Henderson, Hato, Rogers, Palmer, Quenda.
Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Fofana, Gusto, Palestra, Barco, Lavia, Nicoll-Jazuli, Estevao, Welbeck.
Tottenham XI: Kinsky, Gray, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Roberton, Tonali, Fernandes, Kudus, Maddison, Marmoush, Tel.
Subs: Dubravka, Senesi, Gallagher, Solanke, Kulusevski, Porro, Davies, William Olusesi, Williams-Barnet.
