Xabi Alonso has explained why Joao Pedro is not in the Chelsea squad for this afternoon’s game against Tottenham Hotspur – and emphasised the qualities Mike Penders and Geovany Quenda will bring on their full Premier League debuts.
We are back at Stamford Bridge this afternoon for what the Blues manager expects to be an ‘intense game’ against our London rivals, whom we are aiming to defeat for an unprecedented seventh success in the Premier League.
Alonso has made two changes to the team that started our win at Everton last weekend. One was expected as Penders replaces the injured Emi Martinez, who underwent jaw surgery after a nasty collision with Jarrad Branthwaite at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The other is the absence of Joao Pedro, with Alonso explaining the Brazilian was ruled out of the contest yesterday.
‘He felt something yesterday in training,’ Alonso said. ‘At the moment, he has some fluid [around the injury], so we have to do some tests to see how big is the injury is. For sure, it’s a disappointment, but we need to carry on.’
Quenda is the man Alonso has opted to replace Joao Pedro with in the starting XI. It is the Portuguese winger’s first top-flight start in English football after his arrival in the summer.
He has many qualities,’ Alonso said when asked about Quenda’s selection.’ He attacks the space well, is good with the ball, and is a threat. He’s been training well, and all the players will have their opportunities. Sometimes, they have to be more patient. Geo has been patient, and today it’s a big game to make his debut as a starter.
'We want to have mobility and to be fluid, so that we are not static and for sure with Geo we have those qualities.'
Penders, meanwhile, starts in the Premier League for the first time, having made his debut off the bench against Everton last weekend.
‘I believe in every player we have and today it’s the first start in the PL for Mike,’ explained Alonso. ‘He showed last weekend against Everton that the can have a good impact. We need to deal with injuries and now he has a good chance, and we are fully confident.’
A big-game atmosphere is building at Stamford Bridge ahead of kick-off, and Alonso has highlighted the important role the Blues supporters play across the 90 minutes.
'It will be an intense game at a high tempo and high intensity on the pitch and in the stands. A proper derby. We expect an intense game with different moments for everything, with our qualities and the qualities of Tottenham. So it’s going to be very interesting.'