Joao Pedro missed Chelsea’s match against Manchester United on April 18, 2026, at Stamford Bridge. He suffered a thigh injury just days before the game.
Liam Delap replaced him in the starting line-up. This change came as Chelsea sought to break a three-game losing streak in the Premier League.
Pedro has been crucial for Chelsea this season, scoring 19 goals across all competitions. His absence was felt throughout the squad.
Manager Liam Rosenior expressed hope that Pedro would return for the next match against Brighton on Tuesday. He stated, “Joao felt his thigh a few days ago. He was touch and go for this one, so hopefully we’ll have him back for Brighton.”
Enzo Fernandez returned to the starting line-up after missing two matches, adding some experience to the team.
Rosenior noted the differences between Delap and Pedro. “Not too much. They’re a different profile of striker: Liam likes to stretch and run behind, Joao likes to play to feet,” he explained.
The manager acknowledged how much they missed Pedro’s contributions: “We have missed everything about him: his character, his quality in possession, his drive to win.”
Chelsea made two changes for this match, aiming to improve their performance against a strong Manchester United side.
As it stands, Chelsea hopes to have their top scorer back soon. The team’s ability to rebound from recent losses may depend on his swift recovery.
