Chelsea receive double injury boost ahead of international break

Chelsea has received a positive development as Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos were omitted from Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad for October friendlies, allowing them to stay in London for injury recovery amid a busy schedule. This comes as a relief with mounting injuries at Stamford Bridge, enabling the pair to focus on regaining fitness without international duties.

Andrey Santos suffered an injury prior to Chelsea's 3-1 loss to Brighton in the Premier League, missing that match and the subsequent 1-0 Champions League win over Benfica. Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the 20-year-old midfielder would not be fit until after the international break, ruling him out for the upcoming match against Liverpool.

Joao Pedro has been dealing with a recent knock and came off the bench against Benfica, only to be sent off after receiving two yellow cards. He has not scored for Chelsea since his brace before the September international break, during which he featured for Brazil alongside Santos and Estevao.

Ancelotti's decision provides Chelsea with an opportunity to manage the players' recovery at Cobham without the pressure of immediate matches during the break. This controlled environment is crucial for restoring full fitness before the Premier League campaign resumes, helping the club maintain momentum after the narrow European victory.

Maresca, in his second season, has faced multiple injuries to key players, making this respite pivotal. Meanwhile, Brazil's squad also misses Neymar due to a thigh injury, with Ancelotti citing injuries and a chance for others to showcase their abilities, as many selected players are expected to feature in the World Cup.

Estevao, Chelsea's 18-year-old winger, is the only one of the club's three Brazilian players included in the squad for the friendlies, aiming to build on his promising early-season form internationally.

For Maresca, the international window presents challenges with several first-team players on national duty, but the absence of Santos and Pedro offers breathing space to get vital personnel back to full fitness. This update is a rare positive as Chelsea prepares for a tough clash with Liverpool in a demanding campaign.