Chelsea hit with new injury blow as Joao Pedro pulls out of Brazil international games

Chelsea hit with new injury blow as Joao Pedro pulls out of Brazil international games Chelsea striker Joao Pedro has pulled out of Brazil’s upcoming international games due to injury . The 24-year-old has been in sparkling form this season, bagging three goals and three assists in four Premier League outings. Pedro provided the assist for Morgan Rogers’ opener as Chelsea drew 2-2 with Hull City at Stamford Bridge last weekend before netting the crucial equaliser. Chelsea take on Brentford this Friday and Pedro will likely miss the game. Danny Welbeck will start ahead of the Brazilian international if he is not fit to play. It is a major blow for the Blues as they now have to navigate this already tricky fixture without one of their most potent attacking forces. They are light in midfield, with manager Xabi Alonso forced to use Malo Gusto and Reece James in the engine room. Romeo Lavia doesn’t have the intensity to play in a double pivot, Valentin Barco is diminutive, and Jordan Henderson is just returning to full fitness. The Bees have a very powerful midfield pairing in Vitaliy Janelt and Mamadou Sangare. They could prove too much for Chelsea to handle. Brentford are just below Chelsea in the league table. The Blues have not won on any of their last five visits to the Gtech Community Stadium. Chelsea will be desperate for three points to keep the pressure on early challengers Arsenal and Manchester City. They are already five points behind and will be eager not to lose further ground.