Chelsea Offered Striker Selection Boost As Xabi Alonso Confirms Trio Available vs Liverpool
A welcome boost for Chelsea as they prepare to face Liverpool without Joao Pedro.
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Xabi Alonso has been handed a selection boost in attack for Chelsea's Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Liverpool despite the confirmed absence of Joao Pedro.
Chelsea have been dealt a blow after Alonso confirmed that Joao Pedro will be sidelined for a few weeks with a thigh injury.
It sees Chelsea without their star striker until the international break, missing games against Liverpool, Manchester United and Sunderland.
"He is going to be out for a few weeks," revealed Alonso. "Let's see how many. We don't want to predict on that, but he's not ready for the next games."
It leaves Chelsea needing to find solutions in attack. In the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Alonso opted not to start with a recognised centre-forward, drawing criticism, and now faces another decision for their trip to Anfield as they eye a quarter-final spot.
Alonso has been unable to call upon Emmanuel Emegha since his summer arrival from RC Strasbourg due to a hamstring injury in pre-season. It has seen only Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck available for selection in attack.
But after stepping up his recovery in recent weeks, returning to training at Cobham, Alonso has received positive news for the Liverpool tie - Emegha is available for selection.
"Emmanuel is in the squad," confirmed the Chelsea head coach.
Alonso added: "Yeah, for sure it's important that we have him available because he has special qualities. He has to feel fully fit.
"He's been training for the last couple of weeks, 10 days, in a good way that allows him to build a strong base for his fitness and now gradually we want to see him and maybe tomorrow he has the chance to play."
Given Alonso's comments, the 23-year-old is set to start on the bench, barring any late setback.
It offers Chelsea optimism in the absence of Joao Pedro, who has proven with his start to the season how much the Blues will miss him.
Alonso reveals double selection decision for Liverpool
Both Welbeck and Estevao Willian were snubbed for a starting XI role against Spurs. It came as a surprise that not at least one of the pair were selected in Joao Pedro's absence.
With Cole Palmer suspended for the cup tie, serving a one-match ban for his dismissal against Spurs, Welbeck and Estevao will be hoping their chance comes at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Alonso confirmed both were in contention to face Andoni Iraola's side, adding: "They are in the squad, so every player in the squad can be playing."
The Chelsea boss was quizzed on his decision not to start either Welbeck or Estevao. He responded: "I assess all the possibilities we have, what we have been preparing during the week and the qualities that all the players have to choose the best team for each game. That was the case on Saturday and that's the case for tomorrow."
Alonso has a decision to make over how much he wants to rotate against Liverpool, who have won their last four games in all competitions.
Following the defeat to Spurs, Alonso needs to weigh up squad rotation ahead of Saturday's clash with Manchester United, whilst aiming to bounce back on the first attempt and inject instant positivity into the side.
Anfield hasn't been a happy visit for Chelsea in recent years. Their last win came in March 2021, so the odds are firmly against the Blues.