Chelsea face being without as many as half a dozen players for their final match before the international break against Brentford in the Premier League on Friday
Joao Pedro down on his hands and knees during a Chelsea match at Stamford Bridge
Joao Pedro appears to be a major injury doubt for Chelsea before their match against Brentford(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Chelsea could conceivably have a fully fit squad for their final match before the international break against Brentford or be missing as many as six players through injury.
Joao Pedro and Reece James are the latest doubts for Friday's match. Both played the full 90 minutes against Hull City last time out in the Premier League.
Neither took part in the open section of Tuesday's training session, with Moises Caicedo also conspicuously absent once again. Marco Palestra and Jordan Henderson, however, both featured and could finally be involved for the first time this season in west London on Friday night.
Emmanuel Emegha
After sustaining a hamstring injury during a behind-closed-doors game in pre-season, Emegha was fit enough to be named on the bench for Chelsea's Carabao Cup second round tie against Luton Town. However, he did not feature during that 2-0 win and has been absent from the matchday squad ever since.
Xabi Alonso confirmed before the 2-2 draw with Hull that Emegha was not ready in time. However, he did acknowledge when discussing the summer signing from Strasbourg last Friday: "We hope they can be [ready] against Brentford, but we will see."
As such, the wait for his debut goes on.
Joao Pedro
Missing the first part of Tuesday's training session was followed barely 24 hours later by Pedro withdrawing from the Brazil squad for their upcoming friendlies against Australia and India due to injury. Alonso, however, has refused to confirm the forward's absence for Chelsea's match against Brentford.
A preference for caution also meant that the manager did not rule anyone out of Friday's game. He said a final decision would only be taken after their last pre-match training session on Thursday.
It appears there is at least a choice for Alonso to make. Pedro, though, appears to be a major doubt.
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Jordan Henderson
A debut for Henderson could coincidentally come against the club that mutually terminated his contract barely two months ago. That agreement allowed Chelsea to sign the England international on a free transfer less than a week later.
However, they did so knowing he was still recovery from wrist surgery that ended his World Cup. Henderson stepped up his rehabilitation this week by training with his new Chelsea team-mates.
Now, after spending last season in west London, it could also be where his return takes place. Henderson would presumably be named only among the substitutes and could feature from the bench.
Marco Palestra
An untimely injury during the final week of pre-season training has prevented Palestra from playing for Chelsea thus far. However, the Italy international is at least working with his team-mates at Cobham once again.
Alonso hoped that, before the match against Hull, he would be available to play against Brentford. However, the manager did not divulge any details on Tuesday.
He instead said: "The adaptation is through the competition. It has a good impact to learn quickly. We will be there to help Marco. He has a lot of potential. He has a lot of qualities we are looking for."
Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo has made just one appearance for Chelsea this season(Image: Adrian Dennis/AFP)
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Chelsea have not been willing to risk Caicedo again after his return from injury against former club Brighton & Hove Albion lasted less than a quarter of an hour. Alonso acknowledged last Friday: "Not yet... let's see for Brentford.
"It's not the moment to take the risk with him. We are not there yet."
The manager conceded on Thursday that "he's getting closer". Alonso also said: "At this moment, we will see tomorrow; he has not been able to play, so we have had to cope with that situation," while also conceding that "I am looking forward to [his return]."
Reece James
Another surprise absentee from the first part of Tuesday's training session was James. The club captain has featured in all six matches so far this season, playing the full 90 minutes half the time, too.
Alonso, though, is adamant that what happened on Tuesday does not necessarily hint at his unavailability for Friday. He said: Alonso said: "It was just a decision for Tuesday, and we will see his development, and tomorrow we will decide."
No reason was given for James' absence. The England international, notably, missed two matches with a minor hamstring injury during the World Cup this summer.