Chelsea's Joao Pedro injury leaked through FPL before Tottenham defeat
Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso was caught off guard after Saturday's loss to Tottenham when asked whether he knew Joao Pedro's injury had been leaked through Fantasy Premier League. Accounts believed to belong to Chelsea staff, a player and a relative of a player transferred out or benched the striker before the deadline, leaving 1.7 million managers who captained him with zero points.
- Match: Chelsea 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur
- Leaked player: Joao Pedro (thigh fluid)
- FPL impact: 1.7 million managers captained him
- Leak source: Accounts linked to Chelsea staff, a player and a relative
- Alonso's response: "I am not into the fantasy team thing"
What was said
"I am not into the fantasy team thing, so I didn't know that."
"There were rumours that a player was missing from Chelsea's attack. I went to check Rogers' team, but he'd sold Joao Pedro two or three gameweeks earlier when he was injured. He never bought him back. Then I checked his brother's FPL team and saw that he'd sold Joao Pedro that gameweek and brought in Nicolas Jackson. I thought it was a bit weird. Why would you sell him when he's one of the most-owned forwards in the game? That's when I felt maybe it was Joao Pedro who was missing out. I posted about it, it went viral, and that was basically it."
"I am sure there are many more that have not been found. I have noticed some players have started using aliases. I've also had a couple of requests over the years to remove accounts, which I have always respected. The FPL leaderboard is completely public, so it is straightforward to look players up. Verifying that an account genuinely belongs to a player takes a bit more time."
"I prefer not to give more information than needed."
Alonso's comments reveal a growing tension between managers protecting tactical information and the global popularity of FPL. The Chelsea boss admitted he is oblivious to the game, yet the data trail left by those close to his squad spoke louder than any press conference.
FPL Karim's detective work shows how online communities can outpace official channels. By tracking the transfers of Morgan Rogers' brother, he inferred Joao Pedro's absence before the deadline, highlighting the unintended consequences of a game played by over 11 million people.
The numbers
- 1.7 million FPL managers captained Joao Pedro for the Tottenham game
- 11 million+ official FPL players worldwide
- 8-2 Chelsea's aggregate Champions League defeat by Paris St-Germain during Liam Rosenior's tenure
- 3 significant team news leaks during Rosenior's short-lived spell
Injury and availability
Joao Pedro missed the Tottenham match due to "fluid on his thigh", as confirmed by Alonso after the game. The striker had been pictured in training during the week, adding to the surprise. No return date has been given.
Chelsea have reminded players to be careful about sharing information and strengthened security at the training ground, including new fencing around first-team pitches.
Why FPL leaks are football's new arms race
The Joao Pedro episode is the latest in a long line of FPL-related leaks. In February 2021, Jack Grealish's absence for Aston Villa against Leicester City was reportedly known to Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers beforehand, leading Villa boss Dean Smith to ban club figures from playing FPL. Later that year, Pep Guardiola called the situation "unethical and unprofessional".
Chelsea themselves suffered three significant leaks under Liam Rosenior, including two before Champions League legs against PSG. Former defender Marc Cucurella's barber revealed Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro were unavailable. The club responded with reminders and physical security upgrades.
With players and staff using aliases and family members monitored, clubs face an uphill battle. The Premier League defers such issues as club matters, and any measures—like discouraging employees from picking their own players—have limits. Monitoring friends and family is nearly impossible.
Talking points
- Should Chelsea ban players and staff from playing FPL entirely, or is education enough to stop leaks that cost 1.7m managers?
- Xabi Alonso's admission that he doesn't follow FPL shows a disconnect between managers and fans—does that matter?
- Is tracking family members' FPL teams ethical, or does it cross a line into privacy invasion?
- With 11 million players, can the Premier League really leave leak prevention to clubs without a central rule?
What happens next
Chelsea's next fixture will be scrutinised for any repeat leaks, especially with Joao Pedro's fitness uncertain. The club's security measures and internal reminders will be tested as FPL managers continue to hunt for edges. The Premier League has no plans to intervene, so the cat-and-mouse game continues.
Frequently asked questions
Is Joao Pedro injured for Chelsea?
Yes, Joao Pedro missed the Tottenham game due to fluid on his thigh, as confirmed by Xabi Alonso.
How did FPL managers know Joao Pedro was out?
Accounts linked to Chelsea staff, a player and a relative transferred him out or benched him before the deadline, which FPL Karim spotted and shared virally.
What did Xabi Alonso say about the FPL leak?
Alonso said: "I am not into the fantasy team thing, so I didn't know that."
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