Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that forward Pedro Neto will be given full autonomy to decide whether or not he features in Friday’s FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras, as he continues to mourn the tragic death of his Portugal team-mate Diogo Jota.

Speaking ahead of the clash at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Maresca said:

“It is completely Pedro's decision.”

Neto, who has netted three goals in three appearances so far in the tournament, played alongside Jota both for Portugal and previously at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The pair were part of the squad that lifted the UEFA Nations League title last month.

Liverpool star Jota, 28, and his younger brother André Silva, 26, were killed in the early hours of Thursday morning after their vehicle veered off a motorway in northern Spain and caught fire.

A visibly emotional Maresca shared further insight into his conversation with Neto:

“I had a chat this morning with Pedro. Any decision he takes is the correct one and we will support him.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s new signing João Pedro could be in line to make his debut against Palmeiras, despite only recently joining up with the squad following an off-season break.

“João’s situation is a bit strange, or different, because he was on holiday,” Maresca explained.

The 23-year-old Brazilian completed a £60 million move from Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday and began training immediately with his new team-mates. Although his last competitive appearance was on 19 April in the Premier League, Maresca revealed that the forward had maintained his fitness.

“Even if he was working, it is not the same working by yourself, but we are very happy with João.
The last two days he has worked with us and we will see if we can give him some minutes tomorrow.”

Chelsea will be without Moisés Caicedo, who is suspended for the quarter-final tie. The Blues will also face Palmeiras winger Estevão Willian, who has already agreed to join the London club following the tournament.

However, Maresca was quick to stress that the Brazilian teenager's future move had no bearing on Chelsea's preparations.

“We are used to preparing games thinking about the team and the players on the other side, and we have done the same here.
We don’t care about him being with us after this competition. We are just thinking about trying to beat Palmeiras.”