Chelsea’s attack took a significant hit as Joao Pedro was omitted from the squad for the London derby defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. The Brazilian forward, who has been a vital component of Xabi Alonso’s system this season, recorded five goals and three assists in the Premier League before his latest setback. His absence leaves Chelsea without a proven goal threat in a crucial stretch of the campaign, exacerbating concerns over squad depth and consistency in the final third.
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The injury emerged during Friday’s training session, where Pedro reportedly felt discomfort in his knee. This is not his first fitness issue this season; he previously missed the Brentford match and withdrew from Brazil’s international duties due to a similar knee complaint. Despite returning to score a brace against Bournemouth and playing a full 90 minutes against Everton, the recurrence of symptoms suggests an underlying issue that requires immediate medical attention.
Manager Xabi Alonso confirmed the severity of the situation, stating that Pedro has developed fluid in the joint and requires further diagnostic tests to determine the extent of the damage. “Yesterday in training he felt something, and at the moment he has some liquid, so we have to do some tests to know how big the injury is,” Alonso told Sky Sports. While the club remains cautious, the immediate impact is a weakened attacking lineup as Chelsea looks to bounce back from the Spurs defeat.
Source: The Independent Sport
