Joao Pedro sends brutal Chelsea warning as Enzo Maresca concern revealed

Joao Pedro has warned his Chelsea teammates that they will miss out on Champions League football if they do not learn to stay focused and concentrated for a full 90 minutes.

The Blues were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw with Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday evening despite taking an early lead in Baku. It was the third time this season - in all competitions - that Enzo Maresca's side had failed to win after going ahead within the first 25 minutes.

The draw at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium was also the fourth time the Blues have lost points from a winning position since the start of the campaign. Brentford and Chelsea have both lost eight points from winning positions in the Premier League, with no team dropping more than the Blues.

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Estevao Willian gave Chelsea the lead on 16 minutes, but two quick-fire goals from Qarabag courtesy of some lapse defending from the visitors ensured an awkward encounter 2500 miles from home. Alejandro Garnacho levelled the match in the early moments of the second-half and Chelsea hunted for a winning goal, though could not break down a plucky Qarabag.

Joao Pedro, who played a big part in Chelsea's opening goal in Baku, has now called on his colleagues to remain focused as he fears another season in the Champions League could escape them if not.

"We need to learn how to be able to concentrate for the full game," the Brazilian said. "Because if we start to drop points in the Premier League, it will be tough to be in the Champions League again next year.

"We dropped our level of concentration in the game and if you drop, the other team is going to score."

The former Brighton attacker added: "We are playing in the Champions League. If we want to win games, we have to be 100% focused for the whole game."

The 24-year-old has been struggling with a groin injury over the last few weeks that has restricted the amount he has been able to train with the rest of the squad, but has been fighting through the pain barrier; something the Chelsea forward has conceded is "tough" for him.

He said: "I want to play always, I try to be available always. It is tough but I want to play every game. They are trying to manage it. I’m OK, I feel good, I want to play every game."