Key Chelsea Player Told To Rest For Weeks After Medical Check Despite Xabi Alonso's Comment

Joao Pedro is unlikely to be available for Chelsea against Brentford.

Chelsea striker Joao Pedro has sustained a knee injury that will force him out of Friday's Premier League clash with Brentford, according to reports in Brazil.

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Joao Pedro played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea's 2-2 draw against Hull City last weekend, in which he starred for the Blues with a goal and an assist.

It was therefore a surprise when he missed Chelsea's training on Tuesday.

Brazilian football governing body CBF later announced on Wednesday that the 24-year-old has withdrawn from the national team for the upcoming international break due to an injury. The official statement did not give out any details about the injury, however.

Then on Thursday afternoon, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso insisted that Joao Pedro could still feature in the derby, although he had yet to make a decision.

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Alonso refused to specify the Brazil international's injury. He added: "We will see tomorrow (Friday) if he is ready to play, and we will take a decision."

It is unclear whether Alonso genuinely believes Joao Pedro could recover in time for the trip to Brentford or if it was just a bluff to keep the opponents guessing.

According to ESPN Brasil, it would be the latter.

Joao Pedro's reported knee issue

The report claims that Joao Pedro has a swelling in his knee, caused by a strain to the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments sustained during the draw with Hull.

The striker reported some discomfort before visiting a clinic in London for an assessment. The results led to a recommendation of a three-and-a-half-week recovery period.

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Chelsea are said to have sent the scans to CBF, who agreed to remove Joao Pedro from their squad for the September-October international break.

In other words, Chelsea are expected to be without their star number nine for the Brentford match.

The extended international break will last for around three weeks, so Joao Pedro may miss only one game and return in time for the home game against Bournemouth on October 10.

His injury is undeniably a big blow, given his red-hot form, which earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award for August. However, Danny Welbeck's goalscoring form in cup games at least provides some comfort.

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Welbeck has already scored three goals for Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, including two in the 6-3 win over Leeds United last week.

The 35-year-old veteran striker is expected to lead the attacking line for Chelsea amid Joao Pedro's anticipated injury absence.

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