Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that the decision to play Pedro Neto in the Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras was entirely up to the player after his Portugal teammate Diogo Jota died.
"He is very sad. More than sad. But we are all with Pedro to support him at this difficult time," Maresca told Chelsea's website on Friday.
“The decision is entirely up to Pedro. I spoke to him this morning, and whatever he chooses, we will support him. It doesn’t matter if he plays or not. We will see tomorrow.”
Liverpool player Diego Jota and his brother Andre Silva have died in a car crash in Spain. The vehicle they were travelling in went off the road and burst into flames near the city of Zamora.
Jota leaves behind his wife, Rute Cardoso, whom he married a few weeks ago, and three children.
Chelsea are still waiting for confirmation on the condition of young midfielder Romeo Lavia.
The 21-year-old picked up a muscle problem against Benfica and will be assessed ahead of the game, especially with Moises Caicedo out through suspension.
