Chelsea Pair Are Major Doubts To Face Liverpool As Reason For Absence Is Revealed
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Chelsea interim boss Calum McFarlane said at his pre-match press conference on Thursday that Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho were “unlikely” to face Liverpool this weekend.
Both were absent for the 3-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Monday, but there was an assumption that the pair would be back for the trip to Anfield.
McFarlane described Neto and Garnacho’s injuries as “knocks”, but the Daily Mail journalist Kieran Gill has confirmed that they are not in contention due to “muscle-related issues”.
It is not clear how long they will be on the treatment table for, but it gives McFarlane a selection headache.
Chelsea have NO WINGERS available
Neto and Garnacho’s absence comes at a time when the club are already without the services of Estevao and Jamie Gittens due to serious hamstring injuries.
Estevao was forced off during the 1-0 loss to Manchester United last month and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
Gittens, meanwhile, has not played since late January. He has had several setbacks in his recovery, and there is no indication as to when he will return to training.
It means McFarlane could be forced into starting Cole Palmer on the right wing again, with Joao Pedro (potentially) playing off the left.
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Other Chelsea injury news
Jesse Derry started against Forest, with Neto and Garnacho both ruled out, but he suffered a head injury at the end of the first half. He was stretchered off and taken to hospital to undergo checks. It has now been confirmed that he won’t play again this campaign.
Robert Sanchez is going through concussion protocols after also suffering a knock to his head on Monday. He needed stitches after a nasty collision with Morgan Gibbs-White.
Read more about the Chelsea First Team Squad for 2025/26 here
