Chelsea lose João Pedro for a few weeks, and Palmer misses the Anfield cup tie
Xabi Alonso says João Pedro has a thigh injury and will be out for a few weeks. Cole Palmer serves a one-match ban in the Carabao Cup at Liverpool but is back for Manchester United on Saturday.
By TuSport Desk · 28 Oct 2026, 18:25 WAT
Chelsea will be without João Pedro for "a few weeks" after he hurt his thigh, head coach Xabi Alonso confirmed on Tuesday. The Brazilian forward has scored five Premier League goals and set up three this season, The Independent reports.
The Evening Standard says João Pedro picked up the injury in training at Cobham on the eve of Saturday's game against Tottenham, which is why he was missing from the squad. Alonso said the player felt something in training and had a lot of fluid in his thigh, and that the club are still assessing how long he will be out. "He is a key player. We will miss him," Alonso said, adding that João Pedro is not ready for the next few games.
Cole Palmer is also unavailable for Wednesday's Carabao Cup last-16 tie at Liverpool. He was sent off for two yellow cards in the 2-0 home defeat by Tottenham, the first red card of his career. A ban for two bookings is one match and covers all domestic competitions, so Palmer sits out the trip to Anfield.
Palmer will be available again when Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 31 October, kick-off 13:30 WAT. The loss to Spurs left Chelsea fifth in the Premier League, according to football.london.
Alonso has options up front. Danny Welbeck, 35, who joined in the summer, started both of Chelsea's earlier Carabao Cup ties this season, and Emmanuel Emegha is back in training after injury and has yet to play a minute for the club. Morgan Rogers led the line against Spurs, and Alonso said other players could also be tried in that role.
Football.london reports that Emiliano Martínez, Pep Chavarría, Jamie Gittens and Reece James are also expected to miss the cup tie at Liverpool.
Sources: www.independent.co.uk · www.standard.co.uk · www.football.london · www.premierleague.com
