Joao Pedro Withdraws From Brazil Squad With Injury Amid Chelsea Concern

Joao Pedro has withdrawn from Brazil's squad for the upcoming international break through injury, dealing a blow to both his side and Chelsea just as the Brazilian was enjoying arguably the best form of his career.

The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed the Chelsea forward would be replaced by Fluminense's Matheus Martinelli for the friendlies against Australia and India, without disclosing the nature of the injury. Pedro had earned a recall to Carlo Ancelotti's new-look squad after a surprise omission from Brazil's World Cup selection, having scored three goals and provided three assists in Chelsea's opening four Premier League matches, form that also earned him the Premier League's Player of the Month award for August.

The injury appears to stem from a knock picked up in Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Hull City, with Pedro landing awkwardly from an aerial challenge before playing out the remainder of the match and scoring. He has since been ruled out of Chelsea's trip to Brentford, with the club yet to confirm the precise nature of the issue. His progress will be monitored through the international break, with an October 10 return against Bournemouth the target, while Danny Welbeck is set to lead the line in his absence.