Pedro Neto could miss Chelsea quarter-final after death of Diogo Jota
Liverpool forward Jota, who also played alongside Neto at Wolves, died on Thursday following a car crash in Spain.
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Neto did not train following the news and manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed he will be granted compassionate leave should he want it.
Pedro Neto (centre left), could miss Chelsea's Club World Cup quarter-final after the death of Diogo Jota (right) (Bradley Collyer/PA)
The Blues face the Brazilian outfit on Friday evening (2am Saturday UK) at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Maresca said: 'It's a very sad day. I struggle to find words because it's very difficult, the feeling that you have is of helplessness in this kind of situation.
'The only thing I can say is all my love to his family, the people in this moment. It's a big tragedy for them.
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'In terms of Pedro it is very sad, probably more than sad.
'It's completely Pedro's decision. I had a chat with Pedro and we support him. Any decision he will take is the correct one.
'It doesn't matter if he'll be on the pitch or not. We'll see how he is feeling but, in any case, we're going to support him.'
Chelsea Football Club has agreed a deal to sign teenage forward Estevao Willian from Palmeiras, with the Brazilian to officially join Chelsea next summer. 🤝
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— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)
June 22, 2024
The game could see Chelsea come up against the teenage Brazilian forward Estevao Willian, who is due to join them after the tournament.
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The highly-rated 18-year-old agreed a move to Stamford Bridge last year and the current competition in the United States is his final assignment with Palmeiras.
Maresca said: 'When we prepare for games, we prepare thinking about the team, not the players that are on the other side, and we have done exactly the same in this game.
'We prepare for the game against Palmeiras, not against Estevao. In this moment he is a Palmeiras player.
'We don't care if in the future he will be with us when this competition is finished. The only thing we are focused on is doing our best to try to beat Palmeiras.'
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Chelsea have a fitness doubt over Romeo Lavia due to a muscular injury and fellow midfielder Moises Caicedo is suspended.
JP. 🇧🇷🔥
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— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)
July 3, 2025
Forward Joao Pedro could make his debut after completing his £60million move from Brighton earlier this week.
Maresca said: 'Joao's situation is a bit strange or different because he was on holiday. Even if he was working it is not the same when you work for yourself, compared with when you work with the team.
'But we are very happy with Joao. In the last two days he worked with us. We'll see if we need him and if we have a chance to give him some minutes we're going to give him some minutes.'
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The father of three, who married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso 11 days before the accident, was killed alongside his brother, Andre Silva, after a Lamborghini they were travelling in burst into flames following a suspected tyre blowout in the early hours of Thursday morning. The brothers' parents attended the Sao Cosme Chapel, the Capela da Ressurreicao, in the town of Gondomar near Porto on Friday, with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and Jota's agent also among attendees. Some mourners embraced and cried before entering the venue as floral tributes of yellow and white and candles were lain by a tree outside. People held service sheets featuring pictures of both brothers, the largest one showing Jota smiling in his Liverpool FC shirt and making a heart sign with his hands. One man came to pay his respects wearing a Liverpool top. The wake comes ahead of their funeral, which parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, Jose Manuel Macedo, said would begin at 10am on Saturday. Liverpool Football Club postponed the return of players for pre-season following Jota's death, as a number of players past and present paid tribute. The club's manager, Arne Slot, said the 'sense of shock is absolute', adding: 'He was a loved one to all of us.' Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson returned to Anfield with flowers and a club scarf on Friday as he paid his own tribute to Jota. A sea of floral tributes had been left outside the ground, with many Liverpool fans and supporters of other clubs looking to pay their respects. Flags have been lowered to half-mast at the stadium and all club stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday, with staff offered wellbeing support. Liverpool forward Mo Salah said the loss has made the prospect of returning to the club frightening. He shared a black and white picture of him and Jota hugging on the pitch on social media, saying: 'I am truly lost for words. 'Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break. 'Team mates come and go but not like this. It's going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won't be there when we go back.' Jota and Silva were both found dead after the car crashed on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday. Police said they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking, and a source from the government sub-delegation in Zamora confirmed 'a possible speeding incident' was being looked at. Pictures of the aftermath of the crash showed debris scattered along the side of the road including what appeared to be charred parts of the vehicle. No other vehicles are said to have been involved in the incident. The club has opened physical and digital books of condolence in the wake of the deaths, and supporters and members of the public can go to the Anfield Road Stand reception area over the coming days to sign a message. The online book can be found at
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The Portuguese player sported the black ribbon during his men's doubles match on Friday with partner, Lucas Miedler. Speaking shortly afterwards, Cabral revealed he chose the ribbon after Wimbledon officials refused a request to allow him to wear a black armband. 'Yesterday the idea of wearing a black strap came up – that was not allowed,' he said. 'I asked for permission to use the black ribbon and they let me play with it. 'It was an honour – it was not for the best reason. 'He was an inspiration not only for me but for the country in general.' Jota, 28, and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a crash in Spain on Thursday while travelling to catch a ferry to England ahead of pre-season training. 'He made so much in the sport and conquered so much in my life,' Cabral added. 'It was an honour for me to try and help.' 'If I helped one per cent for the family I will be super happy.' Cabral and Miedler lost their match to Czech pair Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl in straight sets. Wimbledon's all-white dress code has been in place for 148 years, and visible tributes are rarely granted. Liverpool fan and British doubles player, Neal Skupski, had also brought a black armband for his match on Thursday but opted not to wear it, after learning of the death of his grandmother shortly after coming off court. He suggested he may wear one later in the tournament, saying: 'Maybe in the next couple of days.'
