Xabi Alonso's decision to not select Danny Welbeck for Chelsea's clash against Tottenham Hotspur, following Joao Pedro's injury, caused the hosts problems at Stamford Bridge.

Pedro was a shock absentee from the Chelsea squad against Spurs. He was pictured in training on Friday, and Alonso made no mention of an injury at his pre-match press conference.

The Spaniard then confirmed before the game that the Brazilian had picked up a minor injury, stating: "At the moment has some liquid, so we have to do some tests to know how big the injury is. It's disappointing, but we need to carry on."

Xabi Alonso snubs Danny Welbeck after Joao Pedro injury vs Tottenham

An injury to Pedro, who has scored five goals in seven Premier League matches, was a major blow to the Blues ahead of their clash with their London rivals.

But instead of making a like-for-like change and using a natural centre-forward such as Danny Welbeck, Alonso unleashed Geovany Quenda on the left wing for his first league start following a summer move from Sporting Lisbon.

Cole Palmer continued in his role as a right playmaker, while Morgan Rogers - who normally operates in the left channel behind the striker - was used as a false nine.

Rogers isn't a natural centre-forward and doesn't possess the instincts of one. That was evident during the first half against Spurs, when the Blues could have benefited from having someone with a striker's instinct to spearhead their line.

It was arguably the perfect opportunity to bring Welbeck into the side for his first league start since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer, but Alonso's decision to snub him suggests that he only sees him as an option to bring off the bench late on in games.

Chelsea arguably could have done with his physical presence up top during the first half and, after watching the Blues struggle to maintain attacks, one fan wrote: "Alonso should have played with Welbeck since the identity remains the same, long balls. We are not fluid enough to play with a false 9."

"Good thinking from Xabi but Quenda is not in this match. An Estevao and Neto false 9 or a Welbeck looks like the best option," another commented.

"We should bring in Welbeck. Need a physical presence in their box," a third posted, while someone else agreed: "This false nine never works. Just slap Welbeck up top and give us a target man."

What Xabi Alonso has said about Danny Welbeck