João Pedro has withdrawn from Brazil’s squad through injury just two days before Chelsea travel to Brentford in the Premier League.
The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed the Chelsea forward will miss the upcoming international fixtures, with Fluminense midfielder Martinelli called up in his place.
It comes after João Pedro was one of three Blues players absent from the open section of training at Cobham on Tuesday, raising fresh questions over his availability for Friday night.
João Pedro injury confirmed by Brazil
Brazil have not revealed the nature of João Pedro’s injury or provided a potential return date.
The federation simply confirmed that Martinelli had been selected to replace the Chelsea forward after he was ruled out through injury.
Further details of the announcement were carried by Football.London in its report on João Pedro’s Brazil withdrawal.
That represents a significant development after there was initially no confirmation João Pedro had suffered an injury when he missed Chelsea training.
The forward had completed the full 90 minutes of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Hull City, scoring and providing an assist without showing an obvious problem.
Chelsea face João Pedro wait before Brentford
João Pedro’s fitness will now be one of Xabi Alonso’s biggest concerns ahead of Friday.
The 24-year-old has made an outstanding start to the Premier League season, recording three goals and three assists across Chelsea’s opening four matches.
His withdrawal therefore creates uncertainty over a player who has quickly become central to Alonso’s attack alongside Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers.
Chelsea were already monitoring João Pedro after he joined Reece James and Moises Caicedo in missing the open section of Tuesday’s training session.
The Blues’ latest Brentford preview highlighted João Pedro’s importance to Chelsea’s attacking threat before confirmation of his Brazil withdrawal arrived.
Alonso is expected to provide further clarity when he addresses the media before the trip to the Gtech Community Stadium.
Until then, there is no confirmed timeframe for João Pedro’s recovery or definitive indication over whether he can face Brentford.
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