- Neto missed training on Thursday after learning of the heartbreaking news
- He played alongside the forward at Wolves and for the Portugal national side
- Enzo Maresca said the club would rally around Neto after a ‘very sad day’
Chelsea are leaving it to Pedro Neto to decide whether he wants to play in their Club World Cup clash versus Palmeiras on Friday so soon after the passing of his close friend, Diogo Jota.
Neto missed training with his team-mates on Thursday morning in Miami after learning of the tragic news. He played with Jota at Wolves and for the Portugal national team.
Chelsea are preparing to play Palmeiras in this competition’s quarter-finals in the United States but are unsure whether they will be with Neto, who has been offered compassionate leave.
Enzo Maresca told us at his presser in Philly: ‘It is completely Pedro’s decision.
‘I had a chat with Pedro this morning. Any decision he will take is the correct one and we are going to support him in any case. Whether he will be on the pitch tomorrow or not, in any case we are going to support him.
‘It’s a very sad day. I struggle to find the words, it’s very difficult. The feeling you have is you are a little helpless in this situation. All my love to his family.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota tragically died aged 28 (pictured: Jota on his wedding day after marrying his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardosa in the last fortnight)
Chelsea’s Pedro Neto, a close friend of Jota, is being supported by his club and will be allowed to decide if he makes himself available for selection against Palmeiras in the Club World Cup
Neto was team-mates with Jota at Wolves and for the Portuguese national side
‘Pedro is very sad, probably more than sad, but we are all so close to Pedro to support him in this moment.’
Meanwhile, Romeo Lavia also missed training in Miami on Thursday and Maresca revealed how he felt a muscular issue at the end of their last win over Benfica. He described it as ‘small’, though it could leave Chelsea with a midfield dilemma as Moises Caicedo is suspended for Palmeiras.
Joao Pedro could theoretically make his debut for the Blues after signing from Brighton for £55million, though Maresca suggested he needs more time to train with him.
‘Joao’s situation is a bit strange or different because he was on holiday,’ Maresca said. ‘He was working by himself, but not yet with the team. We are really happy with Joao over the last few days. We’ll see if need him tomorrow, and if we have the chance we are going to give him some minutes.’
