According to ESPN, Chelsea striker João Pedro has withdrawn from the upcoming Brazil national team matches due to a knee injury, with medical reports recommending 3.5 weeks of recovery. However, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso did not confirm this at the pre-match press conference ahead of Friday's match against Brentford, stating that no player has been ruled out for the fixture.

Reporter: What is the current injury and squad situation?

Alonso said: "In terms of injuries and squad availability, we have one final training session remaining, but no one has been ruled out for Friday's match against Brentford yet. I prefer to be cautious and wait until after the final training session to make a definitive decision on each player."

The reporter then pressed further on João Pedro, who had already withdrawn from the Brazil squad.

Reporter: Can you discuss João Pedro's injury?

Alonso replied: "No."

Reporter: Has he at least participated in training?

Alonso remained non-committal: "We'll see tomorrow (Friday) if he's ready to play, and then we'll make a decision."

However, according to information obtained by ESPN, João Pedro is indeed injured and currently unavailable for selection.

ESPN cited multiple sources stating that João Pedro has fluid in his knee resulting from a sprain to his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament sustained during Chelsea's recent draw with Hull City.

After experiencing knee discomfort, João Pedro underwent an examination at a London clinic on Tuesday, September 15. The medical report's recommendation was clear: he requires 3.5 weeks of recovery.

Chelsea subsequently submitted this medical report to the Brazilian Football Confederation, which on Wednesday, September 16, removed João Pedro from the squad for the upcoming Brazil friendly matches and called up Fluminense midfielder Martinelli as his replacement.

According to ESPN's sources, although Alonso stopped short of confirming João Pedro's injury at the press conference, the striker will indeed be unavailable for Chelsea's match against Brentford.

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