Xabi Alonso Provides Fitness Update on Three Key Chelsea Players For Brentford Clash

Xabi Alonso revealed several Chelsea players could be available for Friday’s Premier League clash with Brentford despite injury worries.

Three key Chelsea players, Joao Pedro, Reece James, and Moises Caicedo, missed the team’s training session on Tuesday, sparking speculation about their potential absences against Brentford.

Joao Pedro, in particular, has recently withdrawn from Brazil’s squad for the upcoming international break. This confirmed his injury but explained nothing about its extent.

Alonso, however, insisted the trio may still be in contention for the west London derby.

“In terms of injuries and the squad, we are having the last training session today. Nobody is ruled out for Friday, so I prefer to be cautious,” the Chelsea boss explained in Thursday’s press conference.

“We will wait until tomorrow (Friday) to make the final decision.”

Alonso refused to specify Joao Pedro's injury, but admitted there is a "possibility" that the striker might play tomorrow but still miss out on international duty with Brazil.

"We will see tomorrow if he is ready to play and we will take a decision," the Spaniard added.

Similarly, James, whose training absence also came as a surprise, is doubtful but not out.

“No, it was just a decision for Tuesday,” Alonso said about the Chelsea captain. “We see his development, and tomorrow we will decide.”

Caicedo, on the other hand, is in a slightly different situation. Unlike Joao Pedro and James, the midfielder has not played much this season due to a calf injury. His only involvement so far is a 14-minute cameo against his former club, Brighton & Hove Albion, in which he was forced off after coming on as a substitute.

Alonso previously said he did not want to risk rushing his second return, but he has at least confirmed a positive development in the Ecuador international’s recovery.

“He's getting closer, and tomorrow we will make the final decision,” Alonso added on Caicedo.

Injuries could leave Chelsea thin in several areas

James has not had an encouraging injury record in recent years, so Chelsea are likely to be more cautious with him. While James has not missed any games due to an injury this season, he missed 14 games last season and 26 games in 2024/25 through fitness issues.

A few other summer signings also remain on Chelsea’s injury list, such as Marco Palestra, Jordan Henderson, and Emmanuel Emegha. Alonso will also make his final decisions on these players on Friday.

None of these three players have made their official debut for the Blues, although Emegha at least already made the bench when Chelsea beat Luton Town in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.

Depending on Joao Pedro and Emegha’s fitness, Danny Welbeck could be the only fit number nine in the squad for the trip to Brentford.

Chelsea could also end up with limited midfield options if Caicedo, James, and Henderson are sidelined. Romeo Lavia and Valentin Barco are the other natural central midfield options.

Malo Gusto, who is primarily a right-back, could play in midfield, but Chelsea may also need him as a right wing-back option alongside Pedro Neto.