Chelsea have been handed an injury scare after João Pedro withdrew from the Brazil squad ahead of the international break. The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed his withdrawal on Wednesday while announcing his replacement, saying: "The player will replace Chelsea striker João Pedro, who is injured."
It's a concerning update given how well Pedro has started the season, contributing six goals and assists combined across his first four Premier League appearances. The timing is awkward too, with Chelsea due at Brentford on Friday and no clear word yet on the severity of the issue.
Reece James and Pedro were both missing when Xabi Alonso's squad trained in front of media earlier this week, and according to football.london, that absence has fuelled concern that Pedro could also sit out the Brentford game.
A Bumpy Patch for Chelsea
Chelsea's promising start has cooled slightly in recent weeks, following a defeat at Arsenal and a draw against Hull City at Stamford Bridge. Those results leave them sixth in the Premier League table, with Brentford - who have drawn three of their first four matches - sitting just one spot below.
If Pedro isn't fit for the trip to the Gtech Community Stadium, Alonso does have options. Danny Welbeck scored twice in Chelsea's 6-3 Carabao Cup third-round win over Leeds United earlier this month and looks the obvious alternative up front.
Welbeck was one of several experienced additions brought in by Alonso, alongside Emi Martinez and Jordan Henderson. Henderson, for his part, is still waiting for his first appearance for the club despite Moisés Caicedo's own spell out injured - he came on as a substitute against Brighton and Hove Albion last month before being withdrawn soon after. Summer signing Marco Palestra also remains sidelined, and Pedro could now join that list.
Timing Could Help Chelsea
If Pedro has picked up an injury, there is at least a silver lining: Chelsea have a three-week gap after the Brentford match, with no European football to navigate this season. All of their October fixtures fall on Saturdays, with Bournemouth, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United all due at Stamford Bridge, and a trip to Everton in between. Their Carabao Cup fourth-round tie is pencilled in for late next month.
Defensively, there's work to do - Chelsea have shipped more than two goals in all but one match so far this season. Going forward, though, they've been sharp, with Pedro playing a key role alongside Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers. Losing him, even briefly, would be a blow at a time when Chelsea can't yet say for certain how serious the injury is.
