Joao Pedro has issued a surprising endorsement of his Chelsea team-mate Cole Palmer, suggesting the England playmaker would be ideally suited to wear Brazil's iconic number 10 shirt. Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the Brazilian forward praised Palmer's intelligence and creative ability, even jokingly inviting him to make the international switch. Both players find themselves on the sidelines ahead of the 2026 World Cup after being left out of their respective final squads.
Pedro, who enjoyed an impressive debut season at Stamford Bridge, admitted he initially underestimated Palmer's talents before witnessing his brilliance first-hand in training and matches. "He's very intelligent. He's magic," Pedro explained. The 24-year-old striker highlighted a specific tactical void in the Brazilian setup, noting that Ancelotti's system plays without a traditional number 10, operating instead in a 4-2-4 formation. Palmer's creative prowess and ball-playing ability would, in Pedro's view, perfectly fill that gap.
World Cup Squad Omissions and Tactical Decisions
Palmer's exclusion from Thomas Tuchel's England squad surprised many observers. The German coach cited inconsistency at international level and a preference for tactical discipline over creative flair as reasons for the decision. Meanwhile, Pedro faced a tougher blow—being dropped by Brazil despite winning Chelsea's Player of the Season award after registering 20 goal involvements in his debut Premier League campaign. Carlo Ancelotti personally explained the decision, expressing regret while emphasizing his preference for experienced players and the return of Neymar to the squad.
Rather than harbour resentment, Pedro defended Ancelotti's philosophy. The Italian manager, who has won multiple trophies across Europe's elite clubs, prioritizes collective strength over individual brilliance. "He says he doesn't want one guy. He wants the group," Pedro revealed. "Because he wins everything, when he talks, people listen." Ancelotti grants world-class talents the freedom to express themselves within a structured framework, a balance that Pedro believes serves Brazil's World Cup ambitions.
Brazil's Path to Glory and Palmer's England Challenge
Looking ahead to North America, Pedro expressed confidence in Brazil's ability to end their 24-year drought for a World Cup title. He identified Vinicius Junior and Raphinha as key figures who will thrive under Ancelotti's emphasis on shared responsibility. The winger pairing will benefit from a squad united in purpose, according to Pedro's assessment. Brazil face Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland in their group stage campaign before what the forward predicts will be a quarter-final showdown with Palmer's England team. "We're going to beat England in the quarter-final," Pedro concluded with characteristic confidence, adding a playful competitive edge to his praise of his Chelsea colleague.
