Chelsea fans have been through enough this season to warrant free counseling. Every time a player sneezes at Cobham, half of West London fears another injury crisis. So when the latest update dropped—that Andrey Santos and Joao Pedro were omitted from Brazil’s October friendlies—the news felt like a surprise gift basket. Not champagne, not flowers—just two sore hamstrings wrapped up in bubble wrap, safe at home.
Andrey Santos and the Unexpected Silver Lining
Santos picked up a knock before Chelsea’s defeat to Brighton and promptly vanished from the lineup like a magician’s rabbit. He missed both the Premier League clash and the Champions League victory over Benfica. Enzo Maresca confirmed Santos won’t feature again until after the international break. Translation: put that dream of seeing him against Liverpool back in the drawer.
Joao Pedro’s Comic Relief Cameo
Pedro, meanwhile, is hobbling around with his own knock. He came on against Benfica only to collect two yellows like they were rare Pokémon cards. No goals since September, just one red card and a few winces of pain. Chelsea supporters, however, will gladly take his absence from Brazil duty if it means the lad can spend two weeks wrapped in ice packs rather than traveling economy class to Seoul.
According to Sources: Maresca’s Quiet Fist Pump for Andrey Santos
According to sources, Maresca is quietly pleased. With half the squad resembling a waiting room at A&E, having Santos and Pedro tucked safely away at Cobham is no small victory. It gives Chelsea’s medical staff breathing room—an actual chance to heal players instead of shoving them straight back onto the pitch like rushed soufflés.
Author’s Take: A Blessing in Disguise
Let’s be honest: this season already feels like Chelsea’s injury list could qualify for Champions League places on its own. Santos staying behind is the football equivalent of finding twenty quid in an old coat. Not life-changing, but it sure makes the day better. If the Blues can limp through October, Santos’s return might actually feel like a January signing.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
