Chelsea XI vs Brentford: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League | OneFootball

Blues sweating on Joao Pedro’s fitness for west London derby showdown

Xabi Alonso has decided to keep Brentford guessing as he refused to reveal whether Chelsea striker Joao Pedro would be fit for Friday’s trip to the Gtech Community Stadium.

The Brazilian FA announced on Wednesday that Joao Pedro had withdrawn from Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the upcoming international window due to injury.

Alonso was then expected to confirm in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon if Joao Pedro would be part of Chelsea’s squad against Brentford.

With the Blues training at Cobham on Friday morning, though, Alonso said that Joao Pedro would continue to be assessed, alongside Moises Caicedo and Reece James.

“We will see tomorrow if he's ready to play and we will make a decision,” Alonso said when asked for an update on Joao Pedro’s fitness on Thursday.

Captain James, meanwhile, was not pictured in training on Tuesday, albeit the media only had access to the first 15 minutes of the session.

Injury doubt: Chelsea could well be without key striker Joao Pedro against Brentford

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Marco Palestra, Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha will all also be assessed, with Alonso keen to keep Chelsea’s matchday squad under wraps.

Last week, Alonso said that he hoped to have all three of Chelsea’s summer signings available to make their competitive debuts against Brentford.

After drawing 2-2 at home to newly-promoted Hull last weekend, Alonso will be looking to shore up his defence, with the Blues having conceded 12 goals in just six games across all competitions this season.

The Spaniard reverted to a four-man defence against Hull, but could shift back to his favoured 3-4-2-1 formation to try to help Chelsea defend Brentford’s pace out wide.

There are also decisions to make in midfield, with Alonso struggling to settle on a double pivot combination he can trust in the absence of Caicedo.