Why Pedro is not in Chelsea squad vs Tottenham as youngster given huge debut

Joao Pedro has been ruled out of Chelsea's squad for Saturday evening's clash with Tottenham Hotspur, having picking up an injury that is currently being assessed. The 25-year-old striker, who has bagged five goals this season, has been deemed not fit enough to feature against Spurs.

Xabi Alonso has raised eyebrows by handing Geovany Quenda a full Premier League debut in his place. The Portuguese winger has been limited to just 28 minutes in the English top flight since arriving from Sporting CP in a £40million move this summer.

Speaking about Pedro's absence ahead of kick-off, Alonso explained: "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."

Speaking about Quenda's involvement, meanwhile, Alonso added: "He has many qualities. He attacks well the space, he's good with the ball, his goal threat, he's been training well.

"All the players, they will have their opportunities. Sometimes they need to be a bit more patient. Geo has been patient, and today is a big day to make his debut as a starter."

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He continued: "We want to have mobility, we want to be fluid - that we are not very static. And for sure, with Geo, we have those qualities."

Speaking on how the absence of Pedro and the presence of Quenda will change the game, Daniel Sturridge told Sky Sports: "I think, for me, he's going to be more of a focal point. The manager's talked about it being fluid, I think it's more of a false nine.

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"So again, everyone will be rotating, maybe Neto pops up centrally, Quenda may pop up centrally for a moment. There'll be a lot of communication between [Morgan] Rogers and [Cole] Palmer, two really good friends.

"Those guys have amazing chemistry together. And look, they're all goalscorers. Maybe it's a day now for Cole Palmer to add goals to his tally, he's scored one so far this season. I know Morgan Rogers has the four, but these are goal-scoring, thinking players.

"They want to score goals, they want to get their shots off, they're up there in the shot-taking stats. So when we look at them, they're not short of qualities going forward.

"Young boy Estevao, as well, on the bench who can come on. Fortunate for Quenda tonight, big night for him off that left-hand side."

In the only other change from the side that saw victory against Everton last weekend, Mike Penders has stepped in for the injured Emi Martinez. Martinez came through successful surgery on a fractured jaw last weekend following a collision at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and faces a period on the sidelines.

Josh Acheampong retains his spot in defence, alongside Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill. Last weekend's match-winner Pedro Neto is set to operate on the right, with Jorrel Hato lining up on the opposite flank.

Jordan Henderson and Moises Caicedo complete the Chelsea midfield. Palmer is expected to start to the right of Rogers, who appears set to fill in as a makeshift No. 9 at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Roberto De Zerbi has made two changes to the Tottenham side that defeated Coventry City on Monday night. Mathys Tel and Mateus Fernandes have been rolled out in place of Tosin Adarabioyo and Dominic Solanke.