Chelsea’s Joao Pedro withdraws from Brazil squad with knee injury

Chelsea forward Joao Pedro has pulled out of Brazil’s squad for their upcoming friendlies against Australia and India after suffering a knee injury.

The 24-year-old completed the whole of Chelsea’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Hull City on Saturday, scoring once and providing the assist for their other goal. He is reported to have sustained the injury after landing awkwardly during an aerial challenge.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has confirmed Joao Pedro’s withdrawal but has not said how serious the problem is or indicated how long he might be unavailable.

Fluminense midfielder Matheus Martinelli has been called up to replace him in the Brazil squad.

The injury is also a concern for Chelsea, who are due to play Brentford in their next Premier League fixture on Friday at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Chelsea will then face the possibility of being without the forward for Brazil’s international matches. Brazil are scheduled to meet Australia on September 25 and September 29 before playing India in Kolkata on October 3.

Neither Chelsea nor the CBF has provided a detailed recovery timeline for Joao Pedro.

His withdrawal comes after an influential performance against Hull City, in which he contributed to both of Chelsea’s goals during the 2-2 draw. However, the nature of the injury and its effect on his availability for the Brentford match remain undisclosed.

Martinelli will now join Brazil’s preparations for the three friendlies, with the CBF yet to announce any further details about Joao Pedro’s condition.