'He's a big miss' - Ex-scout can't believe Chelsea sold their Joao Pedro 'replacement'

Joao Pedro sidelined for weeks with thigh injury; ex-scout questions why Chelsea sold Nicolas Jackson as replacement.

Chelsea will be without striker Joao Pedro for several weeks after he suffered a thigh injury in the build-up to Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Tottenham, confirmed by manager Xabi Alonso. Pedro has been in excellent form with five goals and three assists in seven games this season.

Former Aston Villa scout Bryan King told Football Insider he is baffled by Chelsea's decision to sell Nicolas Jackson to Villa in the summer for up to £65 million, arguing Jackson would have been the ideal replacement during Pedro's absence. Jackson has since scored seven goals in 11 appearances for Aston Villa. King questioned why Chelsea let a centre-forward leave when they appear to have only one recognised striker, with Morgan Rogers and Danny Welbeck (who barely featured against Tottenham) as alternatives.

Pedro will miss Chelsea's Carabao Cup trip to Liverpool on Wednesday and the visit of Manchester United on Saturday. He is expected to return after the international break, in time for Leeds United's visit in November.