According to a report by Metro on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Chelsea have been dealt a major blow after striker João Pedro was ruled out for a few weeks because of a thigh injury. The Brazilian's absence presents another challenge for Xabi Alonso as his team prepares for two important games against Liverpool and Manchester United.

Pedro missed Chelsea's 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur last Saturday, with his absence coming as a surprise to supporters. The forward's unavailability reduced Chelsea's attacking options as they struggled to break down their London rivals and recover from the disappointing result.

Chelsea manager Alonso has since revealed that the 24-year-old will not feature in Wednesday's Carabao Cup fourth-round match against Liverpool or Saturday's Premier League meeting with Manchester United. Although the club expects him to spend several weeks on the sidelines, the precise duration of his recovery remains uncertain.

Addressing reporters at his press conference on Tuesday, Alonso explained: "He has an injury of his thigh and is going to be out for a few weeks. Let’s see how many. He’s not ready for the next games. He’s a key player. We’ll miss him. We have to be ready to deal with the injury, starting tomorrow with Liverpool."

The Brazilian striker has been one of Chelsea's standout attacking performers this season, contributing five goals and three assists across seven appearances. Losing a player in such impressive form is an unwelcome development for Alonso, especially with two demanding fixtures scheduled within a four-day period.

Pedro has been leading the line for the Blues, operating ahead of Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers in the team's attacking setup. His absence now forces Alonso to consider alternative options who can maintain Chelsea's attacking threat and provide the necessary goals while the Brazilian undergoes treatment.

Chelsea face a difficult trip to Anfield on Wednesday, where they will attempt to overcome Liverpool and advance to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. Their attention will then turn to Saturday's Premier League showdown with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Without Pedro available for either fixture, Chelsea must find a way to compensate for his absence. Alonso will be hoping that other attacking players can rise to the occasion and help his side return to winning form following their disappointing defeat against Tottenham.