Neto a doubt after Jota death
Pedro Neto was given compassionate leave as Chelsea did a minute's silence for Jota in training on Thursday night
- Published
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says it's "completely" Pedro Neto's decision whether he wants to play in the Club World Cup after his international team-mate Diogo Jota died in a car crash on Thursday.
Neto, 25, lined up with Jota for his former club Wolves and country Portugal and was absent from the final training session in Miami ahead of an upcoming quarter-final against Palmeiras.
The Blues had given Neto an indefinite period of compassionate leave after news filtered through that Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, both died in a car crash in the Spanish province of Zamora.
When asked for his reaction to Jota's passing and to explain the situation around Neto, Maresca said: "It's a very sad day. I struggle to find words, you feel a little bit helpless in this kind of situation, and the only thing I can say is all my love to his family and it's a big tragedy for them."
He added: "Then, in terms of Pedro, he's very sad, probably more than sad, but we are also close to Pedro to support him in this moment.
"It's completely Pedro's decision (whether he plays). I had a chat this morning with Pedro. We support him. Any decision he will take is the correct one, and we are going to support him in any case. "We will see how he is feeling tomorrow, it doesn't matter if he will be on the pitch or not."
Chelsea's club captain Reece James also paid tribute to Jota, adding: "The whole football world is devastated by the passing of Diogo and his brother. It's obviously a difficult time for everyone involved and his close friends and family. It's such a tragic accident."
BBC Sport has been told the Jota was on his way back to Liverpool for pre-season training, making the trip by car and ferry because he had undergone minor surgery so doctors advised him against flying.
A vigil and wake for Jota and his brother will take place on Friday afternoon before their funeral on Saturday in Porto, Portugal.
Marc Cucurella, a Chelsea defender who is known to have a close relationship with Neto, added: "He and the manager must decide but it's important that Pedro feels good, football is secondary but whatever they decide will be right.
"Right now Pedro can help us as he is a player in form. I told him if he plays then it is his destiny to score."
Maresca added midfielder Romeo Lavia is a doubt due to "muscular problems" and Player of the Season Moises Caicedo is suspended, but new £55m forward Joao Pedro, signed from Brighton on Wednesday, could play some part.
"Joao's situation is a bit strange or different because you know he was on holiday," Maresca added. "But we are very happy with Joao and we will see if we need him tomorrow or we're going to give him some minutes."
Maresca couldn't confirm the signing of winger Jamie Gittens from Dortmund despite an official announcement from the German club.
But he addressed the likely scenario of facing new signing Estevao Willian, who will join in a £29.1m move from Palmeiras after the Club World Cup, adding: "We prepare the game against Palmeiras, not against Estevao. He is a Palmeiras player that is going to play against Chelsea tomorrow.
"We don't care if in the future he will be with us. The only thing we are focused on is to do our best to try to beat Palmeiras and not to beat Estevao."