Chelsea receive double injury boost ahead of international break | OneFootball

Chelsea Injury Update Offers Double Boost for Enzo Maresca’s Side

Chelsea supporters have been given unexpected good news as Enzo Maresca’s team navigates a demanding schedule. The omission of Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos from Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the October friendlies against South Korea and Japan is seen as a timely boost for the Blues. With injuries mounting at Stamford Bridge, this development allows the pair to remain in London to focus on recovery.

Injury Update on Andrey Santos and Joao Pedro

Santos picked up an injury ahead of Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Brighton in the Premier League and was subsequently left out of that matchday squad. He also missed the 1-0 Champions League victory over Benfica on Tuesday. After that match, Enzo Maresca confirmed that the 20-year-old midfielder would not be fit until after the international break and will therefore be unavailable when Chelsea face Liverpool this Saturday.

Joao Pedro has been carrying a knock in recent weeks. The Brazilian forward came off the bench in the 61st minute against Benfica but was sent off after receiving two yellow cards. Pedro has not scored for Chelsea since his brace before the September international break, when he featured for Brazil alongside Santos and Estevao.

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Opportunity for Chelsea’s Medical Team

Ancelotti’s decision not to call up the two players offers Chelsea a chance to better manage their recovery at Cobham. With no club fixtures scheduled during the break, the medical staff can assess Santos and Pedro without the pressure of an immediate match. This controlled environment is crucial as Chelsea aim to restore full fitness across the squad before resuming their Premier League campaign.

Maresca, now in his second season at the helm, has already faced a series of injuries to key players this term. The respite for Santos and Pedro could be pivotal as the club looks to maintain momentum following the narrow win over Benfica in Europe.

Maresca’s Response and Brazil’s Selection Choices

Brazil’s all-time top scorer Neymar is also absent from Ancelotti’s squad due to a thigh injury. Explaining his selections, the Brazil coach said, “Obviously many of these players will be at the World Cup. But it is a list that also takes into account the injuries we have had in recent days. It is an opportunity for others to demonstrate their qualities.”

Estevao, Chelsea’s 18-year-old winger, is the only one of the club’s three Brazilian players to have been included for the international friendlies. The youngster will look to build on his promising early-season form on the international stage.

For Maresca, the international window represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While he will lose several first-team players to national duty, the absence of Santos and Pedro could give Chelsea the breathing space they need to get vital personnel back to full fitness. As the Blues prepare for a tough clash with Liverpool, this injury update is one of the few positives in what has been a demanding campaign so far.