Chelsea: Enzo Maresca confirms Pedro Neto could miss Club World Cup clash after Diogo Jota death | OneFootball

Chelsea winger was closed friends with Diogo Jota and the pair played alongside each other for the Portugal national team

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Pedro Neto could miss Chelsea's Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras following the death of his fellow Portugal international Diogo Jota.

Liverpool forward Jota, who also played alongside Neto at Wolves, died on Thursday following a car crash in Spain.

Neto did not train following the news and manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed he will be granted compassionate leave should he want it.

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.

"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 have a fitness doubt over Romeo Lavia due to a muscular injury and fellow midfielder Moises Caicedo is suspended.

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."