‘Altercation’ – Brighton and Hove Albion star Joao Pedro missed Liverpool match after training ground incident..
Brighton and Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro missed the final home match of the Premier League season after a training ground ‘altercation’, The Athletic has reported.
According to The Athletic’s Andy Naylor, the Brazilian had a bust up with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke.
Joao Pedro, 23, was an unexpected absentee for the 3-2 win against Liverpool as he had already served his three-match suspension – having being sent off in the 4-2 defeat at Brentford on April 19.
Post-match, Fabian Hurzeler was asked by Sussex World why Pedro was missing.
The Brighton boss said: “Joao had private reasons why he wasn’t available today, so let’s see how this continues.”
The German, 32, said ‘we have to see’ if Pedro and Tariq Lamptey (knee injury) will be ready to travel to Tottenham Hotspur for the final match of the season on Sunday (May 25).
Joao Pedro has ten goals and seven assists this term and is expected to be a man in demand this summer. He continues to be linked with Arsenal and a serious bid for him would test Albion’s resolve.
Brighton star in training ground bust-up with team-mate after Arsenal and Liverpool links..
Brighton forward Joao Pedro was not part of the squad that beat Liverpool on Monday night – just days after he was linked with a huge summer switch to Arne Slot’s team.
Joao Pedro was omitted from the Brighton squad that beat Liverpool on Monday night due to an ‘altercation’ with Seagulls defender Jan Paul van Hecke rather than recent transfer speculation, it has been revealed.
The forward, 23, has recently been serving a three-match ban but was available to feature in the 3-2 thriller at the Amex Stadium. There was no place for the Brazilian in Fabian Hurzeler’s squad, however, with the Brighton boss saying post-match that Pedro was absent due to “private reasons”.
Article continues below
Play War Thunder now for free
War Thunder
Pedro’s omission came just days after the former Watford star was touted as a possible summer transfer target for the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool with the season drawing to a close.
The Athletic, though, have now outlined that a training ground bust-up with Van Hecke in the build-up to Brighton’s previous Premier League fixture against Wolves is the reason behind Pedro’s absence in midweek.
READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd face Delap issue, Arsenal close on Gyokeres, Liverpool’s Kerkez problem
READ MORE: Cody Gakpo makes Jeremie Frimpong feelings clear ahead of Liverpool completing transfer
While little is detailed about the altercation, it’s noted that Pedro was already suspended for said match against Wolves after being shown a red card for violent conduct against Brentford back in April. Both Pedro and Van Hecke have been pivotal figures for the Seagulls this season, featuring 27 and 33 times respectively in the league.
Pedro is Brighton’s joint top scorer with 10 goals this season and his returns have not gone unnoticed elsewhere ahead of a summer where a number of Premier League clubs have designs on bolstering their attacking options.
About The Author
