The October international break is coming up after this weekend’s games, which usually would be rather annoying, but in our current predicament, it’s hoped that it will serve as literal panacea for some of the very literal troubles that ail our squad this time. Namely, we’re counting on this two-week break to help nurse some key players back to health, including the likes of Cole Palmer and Tosin Adarabioyo.
Palmer and Tosin are only the tip of a large injury-iceberg, which doesn’t even include players
like Moisés Caicedo and João Pedro, who are gutting it out without being 100 per cent fit. The former played the full-90 against Benfica after a late fitness test while the latter came off the bench for the final 20 minutes (though only managed to collect a couple yellow cards to become our latest sending off).
For players like Moi and JP — not quite fit, not quite injured — international breaks tend to present conflicts of interest. As important as they are for us, often they are just as important for their national teams.
Thankfully, Brazil, unlike Chelsea, can afford to go without João for a second as manager Carlo Ancelotti explained yesterday after his latest selection was announced.
“João Pedro has a small physical problem. He’s not 100%. We prefer him to recover calmly during this FIFA date to return to his best level. It’s a physical problem.”
-Carlo Ancelotti; source: Flashscore
Thanks, Uncle Carlo! We would prefer that as well.
Meanwhile, young Estêvão does get the call, with Brazil set to face South Korea and Japan in a pair of friendlies on October 10 and 14, respectively.
