Chelsea's Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras has been overshadowed by the tragic death of Diogo Jota, a Portugal teammate of Chelsea forward Pedro Neto. Manager Enzo Maresca has stated that he will leave the decision of whether or not to play in Friday's match entirely up to Neto, acknowledging the player's grief.
"It is completely Pedro's decision," Maresca said when asked about Neto's participation in the match at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The Liverpool star, Jota, died alongside his younger brother Andre Silva after their vehicle veered off a motorway in northern Spain before bursting into flames on Thursday.
Neto, a key player for Chelsea with three goals in three appearances at the Club World Cup, shared a close bond with Jota, having played alongside him in the Portuguese national team that won the UEFA Nations League last month. The pair also played together at Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in their careers.
Maresca, visibly emotional, emphasized the club's support for Neto, saying, "I had a chat this morning with Pedro. Any decision he takes is the correct one, and we will support him". Neto's participation remains uncertain as he mourns the loss of his friend and teammate.
Beyond the emotional considerations surrounding Neto, Chelsea faces other challenges heading into the match against Palmeiras. Midfielder Moises Caicedo is suspended for the game. However, there's potential good news as new signing Joao Pedro could make his debut.
"Joao's situation is a bit strange, or different, because he was on holiday," Maresca said. The 23-year-old Brazilian forward recently completed a move to Chelsea from Brighton and Hove Albion for a reported £60 million. "Even if he was working, it is not the same working by yourself, but we are very happy with Joao," Maresca added. "The last two days he has worked with us, and we will see if we can give him some minutes tomorrow".
The match also presents an interesting dynamic as Chelsea will face Estevao Willian, a teenage Brazil winger who is set to join the London club after the tournament.
Meanwhile, reflecting on earlier in the season, Pedro Neto missed a match against Leicester City due to a knock picked up while representing Portugal. At the time, Maresca expressed hope that Neto wouldn't be sidelined for long. Concerns about a potential ankle injury arose during a FA Cup game against Brighton in February 2025.
Looking back to November 2024, Neto spoke about his determination to overcome injury battles and achieve consistency at Stamford Bridge. After recovering from hamstring injuries, he expressed feeling "really good" and being in good shape.
Chelsea's focus remains on the Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras, but the tragic circumstances surrounding Diogo Jota's death and the uncertainty surrounding Pedro Neto's participation add a layer of complexity to the match. The team will need to rally together and focus on the task at hand while supporting their teammate during this difficult time.
