Chelsea star 'very sad' and misses training after tragic death of Diogo Jota

In the wake of the tragic death of Diogo Jota, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has left the decision to play in their Club World Cup quarter-final squarely in the hands of devastated winger Pedro Neto. Neto, who was deeply affected by the loss of his Portugal team-mate and friend, skipped the final training session before the clash with Palmeiras as he grapples with the heartbreak.

Maresca said: "Pedro is very sad. Probably more than sad, but we are close to Pedro, to support him in this morning. It's completely Pedro's decision, I had a chat this morning we support him, any decision he takes is the right one, we will support him in any case. If on pitch tomorrow or not, we will support him.

"It's very sad day I struggle find words, it's very difficult, the feeling that you have is helpless in this situation. Only thing I can say is all my love for his family, a big tragedy."

Fellow Chelsea player Marc Cucurella spoke about the sombre mood in the camp but hinted at hope, suggesting that destiny might see Neto score as a tribute: "In the morning he was sad and it was not his best moment. But we tried to stay together and in the afternoon he was a bit better and I told him that if he's going to play then he will score because that is destiny.

"Hopefully we can show his love and all the good friends that we are and dedicate the goal to him. The manager and he must decide but it's important that Pedro feels good, football is secondary but it's a long day tomorrow and whatever they decide will be good. But right now he's a player in form and I think Pedro can help us in this game."

He then spoke about the strong support within the Chelsea team for Jota's family during these tough times, offering his heartfelt condolences: "It's a bad moment, we send all our love to the family, the wife, the kids, and I do it from me, the whole Chelsea squad and football.

"Football is not important at times like this. The most important thing is that we show respect an all our love.

"I saw it as soon as I woke up. It was a difficult moment because these things can happen to all of us in any moment and then you start to think if you don't feel good, or you don't give 100 per cent, or feel bad when these things happen it's important to be happy and life live every day.

"The morning was a bit difficult, you don't feel good or have the energy to play but tomorrow is a good moment to show all the love, all the respect because I think he enjoyed playing football and scoring football. That's why this will be a good opportunity to show on the pitch which is where he felt good."