Pedro Neto did not train ahead of Chelsea’s Club World Cup quarter-final
Chelsea Football Newsletter
Neto did not train following the news and manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed he will be granted compassionate leave should he want it.
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.
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"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.
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."