Barcelona face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League on Tuesday with major uncertainty over whether Pedri will be available for the visitors. The midfielder has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury at the end of October. Despite initial optimism, his chances of featuring in London now appear slim.
According to reports in Spain, Pedri has still not rejoined full training with the group and did not work with the squad during Sunday’s post-match session following the 4-0 win over Athletic Club. With both Chelsea and Barcelona locked on seven points after four games in the new league-phase format, Flick is weighing up performance needs against the risk of rushing back one of his key players.
Monday’s edition of Marca is said to describe there being ‘serious doubt’ over the 22-year-old’s availability for the Chelsea clash. Catalan outlet Sport also reported that the midfielder is ‘still not at 100%’.
Barca have already confirmed that the Spain international’s hamstring problem was serious enough to rule him out for several weeks. Meanwhile, more recent coverage in Spain suggests Barcelona are now focused on bringing him back later against Alaves or Atletico Madrid rather than at Stamford Bridge.
There is more positive news elsewhere for Hansi Flick’s squad. Marcus Rashford, who missed the win over Athletic due to the flu, has returned to training and is expected to be available after rejoining the group during Sunday’s recovery session. Left-back Alejandro Balde, withdrawn at half-time against Athletic, has also been cleared of serious injury and is expected to feature.
The Catalan side are managing several fitness issues and are already without long-term absentees in midfield. Flick and his staff are understood to consider it not worth risking Pedri in a high-intensity away fixture if he is anything short of fully fit.
Chelsea’s improved form in the Premier League
Chelsea go into the Barcelona game on the back of an impressive domestic run that has taken them up to second place in the Premier League. Enzo Maresca’s side defeated Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor on Saturday, their third successive league victory and another sign of the momentum building under the Italian coach.
The London club have put together a strong sequence of results in recent weeks, including notable wins over Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Wolves. Their away form has been particularly impressive, with a run of consecutive clean-sheet victories on the road marking their best defensive sequence in recent times.
This resurgence has been built on a clearer attacking structure and greater balance in midfield, with summer signings contributing alongside established figures in the squad. The confidence generated by their Premier League performances now provides a platform as they return to European action.
With both Chelsea and Barcelona level on points in the Champions League league phase, Maresca’s side will aim to translate their domestic control and intensity into continental competition.