Chelsea Warns Staff Over Fantasy Premier League Activity Following Injury Leak

Chelsea staff were cautioned after outsiders detected João Pedro's injury through the FPL team selections of Morgan Rogers and other employees.

Chelsea officials have issued warnings to club staff regarding the risks of playing Fantasy Premier League (FPL) after external users detected internal injury news through their team selections, sources told ESPN. The alert followed the unexpected absence of striker João Pedro during Chelsea's 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Oct. 24. While head coach Xabi Alonso did not confirm the Brazilian's status during his pre-match press conference, FPL users noted that staff member Morgan Rogers and others had removed the forward from their starting lineups.

Alonso, who took over at the club last summer, has maintained a guarded approach regarding player fitness updates. When questioned about the FPL activity following the Tottenham loss, Alonso stated he was unaware of the situation. Shortly after the match, personnel at the Cobham training ground were reminded that their digital activity could be interpreted as indicators for tactical switches or player availability. Staff were specifically instructed not to act on information that is not yet available to the general public.

João Pedro has remained sidelined for subsequent fixtures against Liverpool, Manchester United, and Sunderland. The incident reflects a broader trend in the Premier League, where rival clubs have also monitored key staff accounts to gain competitive advantages or injury insights.