Decision made: Pedro Neto
Chelsea Football Newsletter
Pedro Neto has withdrawn from the Portugal squad ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Ireland and Armenia.
Neto was replaced in the 77th minute of Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Wolves last weekend after suffering a groin injury.
Following discussions between Chelsea and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), Neto has now been released from the national team to continue his recovery.
"Pedro Neto and Pedro Goncalves have been released from the national team for the matches against the Republic of Ireland and Armenia," the official statement from FPF reads.
"The Portuguese international winger will not join Martinez's squad, in a decision made jointly by Chelsea's medical department and the FPF's Health and Performance Department, due to physical problems that limit the player."
Neto, who has scored three goals in all competitions this season, did not travel with the rest of the Chelsea squad for their Champions League tie with Qarabag last week, but started and scored against former club Wolves before being withdrawn late on.
The 25-year-old becomes the second Chelsea player to withdraw from international duty after Enzo Fernandez pulled out of Argentina’s squad due to an ongoing knee problem.
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Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Joao Pedro are all currently playing through injuries and have not trained in full in recent weeks as Chelsea look to manage their minutes.
Enzo Maresca will, however, be without Trevoh Chalobah over the international break after he was called up to the England squad on Tuesday ahead of their World Cup Qualifiers against Serbia and Albania.