Add to Preferred Sources

Chelsea may have a little more reason to worry about João Pedro’s injury, with the forward now officially withdrawn from the Brazil squad.

The Chelsea attacker has been replaced for the upcoming internationals. CBF, Brazil’s FA, have confirmed the change.

That means João Pedro will miss Brazil’s matches against Australia and India later this month and in early October.

Brazil call up replacement for Joao Pedro

That means Martinelli, a midfielder who was linked with a move to West Ham in recent months, gets his first senior Brazil call-up. Do not mistake him with former Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli, who is already a regular at the Seleção.

Carlo Ancelotti had already made it clear he wanted to use this international period to look at different options. But that probably makes the Chelsea man’s situation worth watching a little more closely.

Of course a player pulling out of an international squad doesn’t automatically mean a lengthy absence. Clubs and national teams can be very cautious, especially at this stage of the season.

Still, Brazil have three matches spread across more than a week. They face Australia on September 25 and again on September 29. The India friendly then follows on October 3.

João Pedro being replaced entirely means Brazil aren’t expecting to use him during that period.

One for Chelsea to keep an eye on

The timing is far from ideal. The initial hope with any injury is naturally that the player can recover quickly. But Brazil deciding they need a replacement suggests João Pedro won’t be making a rapid return for international duty, at least.

There should be more clarity from Chelsea over the coming days regarding the extent of the problem and how long they expect him to be unavailable.

For now, the news coming from Brazil adds another concern. João Pedro won’t be joining Carlo Ancelotti’s squad in the upcoming international break, and his injury may require a little more recovery time than first hoped.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR