Joao Pedro and Caicedo NOT ruled out for Brentford as Alonso waits on final fitness calls

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has refused to rule out Joao Pedro, Moises Caicedo or Reece James for Friday's Premier League clash at Brentford, insisting all decisions will be made after the final training session on Friday morning. The Blues, sixth in the table and five points off the top two, head to the Gtech Community Stadium for an 8pm kick-off desperate to bounce back from last week's 2-2 draw with Hull City at Stamford Bridge.

Joao Pedro withdrew from Brazil's squad through injury but Alonso called it a 'possibility' he lines up against Brentford on Friday night.

Caicedo, who has made just one brief appearance this season, is 'getting closer' to fitness according to Alonso, with a final call due Friday.

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last nine away games at Brentford, a run stretching back to a defeat there in October 1938.