Joao Pedro was not in the matchday squad for Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Brentford due to a knee injury. The Brazil international has enjoyed an electric start to the new season, scoring three and providing three assists in four appearances. Pedro was absent from training this week, however, sparking injury concerns ahead of tonight’s game in west London having also withdrawn from the Brazil squad ahead of upcoming games.
Injury details and recovery timeline
Pedro was not named in Xabi Alonso’s squad tonight with Danny Welbeck leading the line in his absence. Alonso gave little away when discussing Pedro’s fitness this week but ESPN Brasil report he was examined by doctors on Tuesday, with the striker nursing a sprain of the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments during last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Hull City. It has been recommended he takes three-and-a-half weeks to recover.
While it ruled him out of Friday’s game, the timing does benefit Chelsea with an extended three-week international break now looming large. Based on the reported timeline, Pedro will be available when Chelsea return to action on 10 October.
Other absentees for Chelsea
Chelsea were also without Moises Caicedo and Reece James against Brentford. Caicedo is still to start a game this season, aggravating a muscle injury just 14 minutes after coming off the bench against Brighton in August. James meanwhile was close to making the squad for the Brentford game but just missed out, according to his manager.
‘He’s had a little injury in his hamstring,’ Alonso said of kick-off ahead of Friday’s game. ‘He tried and we waited until this morning. He tried to make it but he couldn’t now we have enough time to prepare for the next one. He was just short of recovering.’
