Joao Pedro injury update from Xabi Alonso ahead of Brentford vs Chelsea | Football
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso is not giving much away on the fitness of Joao Pedro and Moises Caicedo, but has confirmed that neither is ruled out for Friday’s Premier League clash with Brentford.
The 24-year-old played 90 minutes in the 2-2 draw with Hull City last weekend, continuing his fine early season form as he scored his third goal in four Premier League games.
However, he missed training after that draw at Stamford Bridge and has since pulled out of the Brazil squad for the upcoming international break.
It was confirmed on Wednesday that Fluminense’s Matheus Martinelli has replaced Pedro in the squad due to ‘injury’.
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However, Alonso says the striker could still feature on Friday, despite the decision made by the Brazilian Football Confederation.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Thursday, Alonso said: ‘In terms of injuries and the squad, we are having the last training session today. Nobody is ruled out for Friday. We will wait until tomorrow to make the final decision.’
Asked if Pedro is training on Thursday, Alonso was coy, saying: ‘We will see tomorrow if he’s ready to play and we will make a decision.’
Moises Caicedo has been another injury concern for Chelsea, making just one appearance so far under Alonso.
‘He’s getting closer and tomorrow we will make the final decision,’ the Blues boss said of the midfielder.
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‘Moi is one of the top midfielders in the world. Any team with Moi in the middle is a better team – and we are aware of that.
‘We will see tomorrow, he has not been able to play and we’ve had to cope with that situation.’
Reece James was another who missed training earlier this week and Alonso had a similar response when asked about his captain.
‘No, it was just a decision for Tuesday,’ he said. ‘Tomorrow, we will decide.’
Chelsea make the short trip to Brentford looking to hand the Bees their first loss of the season in any competition.
Keith Andrews’s side has won one and drawn three in the premier League, while they have come through two rounds of the Carabao Cup.
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