Xabi Alonso has not ruled out Joao Pedro or Moisés Caicedo for Chelsea's trip to Brentford, and the final call is being left until the last training session before Brentford vs Chelsea. He said, “No one is ruled out for Friday,” and added that Chelsea will “wait until tomorrow to make the final decision.”
Joao Pedro and Reece James remain under review
Pedro's status is the more immediate issue because he scored his third goal in four Premier League games and played 90 minutes in the 2-2 draw with Hull City last weekend. He then pulled out of the Brazil squad for the upcoming international break, with Matheus Martinelli called up in his place due to injury.
Alonso also said, “We will see tomorrow if he's ready to play and we will make a decision.” That keeps Reece James in the wider conversation too, but the clearest watch point is Pedro, who has been productive enough early in the season to make his fitness the main Chelsea talking point before Friday night.
Caicedo's limited run under Alonso
Caicedo's situation is different, but just as relevant. Alonso said, “He’s getting closer and tomorrow we will make the final decision,” then added, “Moi is one of the top midfielders in the world. Any team with Moi in the middle is a better team, and we are aware of that.”
That message fits the numbers. Caicedo has made just one appearance so far under Alonso, and his lone Premier League appearance this season drew a 6.3 rating. Chelsea have had to manage without him, and Brentford's own league form, unbeaten in four of their last five, means Alonso is not treating the derby like an easy call.
Chelsea's final training session now decides whether Pedro or Caicedo can be used on Friday night, and Alonso has left both in the frame for a west London derby that already carries more uncertainty than usual.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →
