Chelsea were dealt a double injury setback ahead of their crucial fixture at Brighton – and the team news was revealed by Marc Cucurella’s BARBER.

England star Cole Palmer and Brazil forward Joao Pedro were both absent for the vital match for under-fire manager Liam Rosenior. It was a crucial match for the west Londoners, who are on the verge of tumbling out of the race for Champions League football.

Palmer and Pedro being absent would have been devastating for Rosenior, who was also missing captain Reece James and Brazilian attacking starlet Estevao

However, remarkably, the information emerged on the morning of the game via a social media post from Cucurella’s barber.

He took to social media and wrote: “Palmer and Joao Pedro both injured. There’s your exclusive” alongside an image of Cucurella apparently having his hair cut.

A Twitter post from “riley @Rileyeagles_” declaring “Palmer and Joao Pedro both injured tonight” with a photograph of a contemporary lounge and dining space, captured from behind an individual with curly dark hair. The account has since been removed, though screenshots of the post have circulated widely on social media.

The account has since been deleted, but grabs of the post have gone viral(Image: @Rileyeagles_)

Astonishingly, the information was subsequently verified, with neither player named in the matchday squad. This is not the first occasion Chelsea have encountered issues with team news being disclosed prematurely this season.

During both the home and away fixtures against PSG, team news was leaked by a mole before Rosenior claimed the leak originated from someone outside the club, rather than a player.

On this occasion, the leak appears to have come from closer to home. Chelsea have been approached for comment and will be invited to respond following the match.

Palmer and Pedro have been huge players for Chelsea(Image: Visionhaus, Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Chelsea were forced to name a starting XI featuring Liam Delap, who has gone 20 matches without finding the net, and Pedro Neto, who is yet to score in the Premier League throughout 2026.

The Blues also deployed a back three for just the second time this campaign. It took Brighton a mere three minutes to capitalise on those changes, with Ferdi Kadioglu putting the Seagulls ahead.

Chelsea came into the fixture having suffered four consecutive league defeats, a run that may have extinguished their hopes of securing a Champions League berth for next season.