In a poignant turn of events, Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, has stated that the decision regarding whether Pedro Neto will play against Palmeiras lies entirely with the young winger. This comes after Chelsea excused Neto from training due to the tragic passing of his friend and international teammate, Diogo Jota. The two players shared a bond at Wolverhampton Wanderers and recently celebrated victory together as they won the Uefa Nations League with Portugal.
The atmosphere at Chelsea's training camp was notably heavy as the team prepared for the crucial quarter-final match against Palmeiras in the Club World Cup. Neto was granted permission to skip training, leaving Maresca uncertain about the winger's mental readiness to participate in the match. “It’s a very sad day,” Maresca expressed. “I struggle to find words; it is very difficult. You feel a little bit helpless in this situation. I can only say all my love to Jota’s family. It’s a big tragedy for them. In terms of Pedro, he is very sad. Probably more than sad. We are close to Pedro to support him.”
Marc Cucurella, Chelsea's left-back, has voiced his support for Neto, who has notably scored three goals during the tournament. “The manager and he must decide, but it’s important that Pedro feels good,” Cucurella said. “Football is secondary, but it’s a long day tomorrow, and whatever they decide will be good. But right now, he’s a player in form, and I think Pedro can help us in this game.”
As Neto navigates this difficult time, his teammates have rallied around him. Cucurella remarked, “In the morning, he was sad, and it was not his best moment. But we tried to stay together, and in the afternoon, he was a bit better. I told him that if he’s going to play, then he will score because that is destiny. Hopefully, we can show him our love and support.”
In addition to Neto’s situation, Chelsea faces selection dilemmas in midfield. Moises Caicedo is currently suspended for one match, and Maresca has expressed concern over Romeo Lavia, who has been absent from training this week due to a muscle issue. “We are not sure he can be fit,” Maresca stated. “We will try tomorrow. He had small problems at the end of the last game against Benfica. It is just muscular problems, and tomorrow we will see if he is fit.”
In a strategic move to bolster their squad, Chelsea has reached an agreement for a fee of £48.5 million plus add-ons for Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund, and they have added Joao Pedro to their roster after securing him from Brighton in a deal worth up to £60 million. Maresca commented on Joao Pedro’s situation: “It’s a bit strange as he was on holiday. Even if he was working, it is not the same when you work alone rather than with the team. We are very happy with Joao in the two days he worked with us. We will see if we need him tomorrow.”
Another intriguing subplot to the match involves Willian Estêvão, the 18-year-old Palmeiras winger, who is set to join Chelsea after the Club World Cup. His current manager, Abel Ferreira, acknowledged the attention surrounding Estêvão as he prepares to face his future employers. “Everyone knew this could happen during the negotiations,” Ferreira noted. “He has to do his job. He won’t play alone. Nobody plays alone in my team. He knows what he needs to do for tomorrow. I hope he gives his best for the owners of Chelsea.”
Ferreira also humorously called upon Philadelphians to tap into their national pride on the Fourth of July, urging them to support Palmeiras in what he described as an underdog opportunity against the English club. “It can be an opportunity for local people to join with us against the English. It can be a good moment. Tomorrow it will be Independence Day, against the English. Join us! Come with us! We need your support,” Ferreira added.
As Chelsea prepares for this emotionally charged match against Palmeiras, all eyes will be on Pedro Neto's decision, as well as the team's overall readiness to compete at a high level amidst personal and team challenges.
