Chelsea striker Joao Pedro has pulled out of the Brazil squad with just 48 hours until their Premier League clash against Brentford
Joao Pedro looks to be a Chelsea injury doubt to face Brentford
Joao Pedro looks to be a Chelsea injury doubt to face Brentford(Image: (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images))
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Joao Pedro has sparked Chelsea injury worries after withdrawing from the Brazil squad for the upcoming international break. Their official announcement discussed the inclusion of Gabriel Martinelli and read: "The player will replace Chelsea striker João Pedro, who is injured."
The striker has started the season on fire with six goal contributions from his opening four Premier League games. The Blues' next game in the competition is on Friday evening away to Brentford which saw Xabi Alonso's side out on the training pitches earlier this week in front of the media.
Both Reece James and Pedro were absent with the announcement on latter causing concern that he may also miss the trip to their London rivals.
A strong start to the campaign has been slightly disrupted in the last few weeks following defeat at Arsenal and the draw against Hull City at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Those results have left Chelsea sixth in the Premier League table with their Friday night opponents just one place behind having drawn three of their opening four matches.
If Pedro is unable to feature at the Gtech Community Stadium, Alonso has a ready-made replacement in Danny Welbeck, who scored twice in the thrilling 6-3 Carabao Cup third round win over Leeds United earlier this month.
The 35-year-old was one of several more experienced players brought into the club by Alonso with Emi Martinez and Jordan Henderson following that.
The latter is yet to play for his new club despite the absence of Moises Caicedo through injury. He came off the bench against Brighton but was then replaced moments later.
Summer signing Marco Palestra is also on the sidelines with Pedro facing the prospect of joining them. If he has picked up an issue, it may have not come at a better time from a Chelsea perspective considering they don't play for three weeks following the trip to Brentford.
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