Joao Pedro told coach Enzo Maresca before the Brentford match that he was not fully fit. He said he felt some discomfort after returning from international duty with Brazil. Despite that, Maresca picked him to start the 2-2 draw. Pedro’s performance lasted 79 minutes before being taken off. He also provided the assist for Cole Palmer’s equaliser.
Pedro : Risk vs Reward
Maresca admitted that if the Bayern Munich game had been next, he might have benched Pedro. He said Pedro requested rest, but with wide injuries in the squad—Liam Delap hurt, few backup forwards—there was little choice. Maresca said the match Chelsea vs Brentford required focus on now, not anticipating future games. He believed Joao could help despite not being one hundred per cent.
Performance Under Strain
In the first half, Pedro seemed off the pace. His touches lacked sharpness. But after the break he improved. He picked out the pass for Palmer’s goal. Despite Joao not being fully fit, he still made a big impact. It shows how much Chelsea rely on him. Especially when options are thin.
What Comes Next for Pedro
The Blues will now face Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Pedro’s fitness gradually will become more important. Maresca might manage his minutes, maybe rest him or bring him off early in certain games. Chelsea have few strikers ready, so keeping him as healthy as possible is key. With many matches ahead, his workload must be handled wisely.
Author’s Insight
Playing Pedro when he said he didn’t feel perfect was a gamble that offered reward and risk. He showed grit and gave Chelsea something to build on. But Macresca’s decision highlights the thin margin between ambition and overuse. In the coming games, how Maresca protects him might shape their campaign more than one goal or assist.
