Chelsea striker Joao Pedro has withdrawn from the Brazil squad due to an injury problem, casting doubt on his availability for Friday night's Premier League trip to Brentford. The Brazil international has been in sensational form this season, scoring three goals and providing three assists in five appearances.
Pedro rescued a point for Chelsea on Saturday afternoon with a late equaliser at home to Hull City, coming to the side's rescue after they had been beaten by Arsenal the previous week. However, he was absent from training on Tuesday ahead of the Brentford match, which is Chelsea's last game before the extended international break.
Brazil squad withdrawal confirmed
The Brazilian football federation confirmed Pedro's withdrawal on Wednesday, with Fluminense athlete Martinelli called up as his replacement. The federation stated: 'Fluminense athlete Martinelli was called up on this Wednesday (16) by coach Carlo Ancelotti for the Brazil National Team's friendlies against Australia and India, in the upcoming FIFA international window. The player will replace Chelsea striker João Pedro, who is injured.'
The former Brighton star was left out of Carlo Ancelotti's World Cup squad in the summer, but his electric form earned him a recall ahead of back-to-back fixtures against Australia in Queensland and Brisbane. His injury now rules him out of those matches.
Potential replacement and other fitness concerns
Doubts over Pedro's fitness would likely see Danny Welbeck handed a starting role under the lights in west London on Friday evening. Reece James and Moises Caicedo were also absent from part of Tuesday's training session.
James has played the full 90 minutes in three of Chelsea's four league games in a central midfield role, coming through unscathed again against Hull at the weekend. Caicedo, meanwhile, is still to start a game this term. The midfielder missed Chelsea's league opener against Fulham but returned to the substitute bench for the following game against Brighton. He was forced off after just 14 minutes that afternoon, however, missing the defeat at Arsenal and the draw with Hull last time out.
Manager's cautious stance
Speaking last week, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti was hopeful Pedro would be fit for the short trip to the GTech Stadium. 'Not yet, we'll see for Brentford,' the Chelsea boss said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Hull game. 'We're not at a moment to take risks with him. Not yet; we are not yet.'
The injury adds to Chelsea's growing list of fitness concerns as they prepare for the Brentford match. The club will be hoping for positive news on Pedro's condition, but the Brazil squad withdrawal suggests the issue may be more serious than initially hoped.
