Chelsea faces injury concerns with Joao Pedro out due to an unspecified injury, potentially delaying his debut for Brazil's national team. Midfielder Moises Caicedo missed recent games after a brief appearance against Brighton and may not play against Brentford on September 18. Meanwhile, veteran Jordan Henderson is recovering well from wrist surgery and could return in time for the same match. Marco Palmeiras, who was sidelined due to a minor training injury, might also be fit enough to face Brentford if he continues his current training routine.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Chelsea faces concerns as key player Joao Pedro is likely to miss their upcoming match against Brentford due to an injury. The Brazilian forward was recently called up by coach Carlo Ancelotti for Brazil's friendlies but has been replaced in the squad because of his injury. Pedro, who scored three goals in four Premier League games this season, had a significant impact before getting injured. Prior to Pedro's absence, Chelsea experienced their first defeat of the season with a 2-1 loss to Arsenal, followed by a 2-2 draw against newly-promoted team Hull. The club also faces uncertainties around midfielder Moises Caicedo, who returned to the matchday squad after missing previous games but did not last long in recent matches due to unspecified issues.
Written for “Chelsea Injury Updates” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
The Blues make the short trip across west London to the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday night on the back of dropping points in their last two Premier League outings.
asserted
Blues → make → outings
A 2-1 loss to Arsenal - Chelsea’s one and only defeat of the season - was followed by a 2-2 draw against newly-promoted Hull, with the concern being Xabi Alonso’s side took an early lead in both games.
Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro, who has scored three goals in four Premier League games already this season, looks set to miss out against Brentford after the Brazil football federation announced he has been replaced in the national team squad because of injury.
asserted
he → follow → injury
A statement reads: "Fluminense athlete Martinelli was called up on Wednesday, September 16, by coach Carlo Ancelotti for the Brazil National Team's friendlies against Australia and India in the upcoming FIFA international window.
"
asserted
Martinelli → read → window
The player will replace Chelsea striker Joao Pedro, who is injured."
asserted
who → replace → Pedro
Potential return date: Unknown
Moises Caicedo
The Chelsea midfielder returned to the matchday squad against his former club Brighton after missing the opening day win over Fulham and the Carabao Cup second round victory at home to Luton Town.
asserted
midfielder → return → Town
However, the Chelsea No25 lasted all of 14 minutes before limping off to be replaced by another ex-Brighton man in Valentin Barco.
asserted
No25 → last → Barco
Caicedo was visibly upset as he made his way off the pitch and has not been seen since, missing games against Arsenal, Leeds and Hull.
asserted
he → upset → Arsenal
Read More
“Let's see for Brentford, but unluckily not at the moment to take risks with him,” Alonso said of the midfielder before the 2-2 draw at home to Hull.
asserted
Alonso → read → Hull
Potential return date: September 18 vs Brentford (a)
Jordan Henderson
The experienced midfielder is has been recovering from the freak wrist injury that forced him to undergo surgery after falling over the advertising hoardings when celebrating England’s last-16 defeat of Mexico.
asserted
that → recover → Mexico
Alonso was asked about Henderson before the 2-1 loss to Arsenal and provided an encouraging update, saying: “He has been training very well, but it is still frustrating for him that, even though it is his arm, it is taking that long.
asserted
it → ask → him
Henderson has been in full training this week and appears to be winning his battle to be in contention for a reunion with Brentford.
asserted
Henderson → appear → Brentford
Like Caicedo, the Italian sustained a minor knock in training before the win over Fulham and his recovery has taken a little longer than expected.
asserted
recovery → sustain → Fulham
Alonso said: “He's quite frustrated after a very good pre-season not to be able to play and to make his debut in the Premier League.
asserted
He → say → League
“But I told Marco, ’Easy, the season is long, there will be a lot of games, and you will play your role, you will have your minutes, you will enjoy your game.’
asserted
you → tell → game
“He is full of energy, and you need to control that.”
asserted
you → need → that
In a boost for Palestra’s hopes of finally making his Premier League bow against Brentford, he appeared to have taken part in training on Tuesday.
asserted
he → make → Tuesday
Potential return date: September 18 vs Brentford (a)
Emmanuel Emegha
Emmanuel Emegha’s start to life as a Chelsea player has been disrupted by an injury sustained in pre-season.
asserted
start → disrupt → season
The knock came at the worst possible time for the summer arrival from Strasbourg as he was in fine form beforehand, netting three goals in behind-closed-doors friendlies.
asserted
he → come → friendlies
The striker is nearing a position where he will be available for selection, but it remains to be seen if he gets a call-up to the matchday squad before or after the international break.
asserted
he → near → break
Potential return date: September 18 vs Brentford (a)
Reece James
Reece James was not involved in the first part of a training session at Cobham on Tuesday that was open to Sky Sports.
asserted
that → involve → Sports
However, the Chelsea expected to be fit for the west London derby.
asserted
Chelsea → expect → derby
The Aporia
.jpeg?width=1200&auto=webp&quality=75)
