Chelsea striker Joao Pedro has made an eye-catching remark about his team-mate Cole Palmer, suggesting that the English playmaker could easily step into Neymar’s shoes as Brazil’s next No.10. Both players are bracing for a disappointing summer as they were omitted from their respective national teams for the 2026 World Cup.

Palmer’s Brazilian flair draws admiration

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Pedro admitted that he initially underestimated Palmer’s ability before witnessing his brilliance firsthand at Stamford Bridge. The Brazilian forward, who has enjoyed an impressive debut season in west London, said that Palmer possesses the “magic” needed to orchestrate play for the five-time world champions.

“He’s very intelligent. He’s magic,” the 24-year-old said. “I told him once, ‘I didn’t think you were that good.’ And he just looked at me. Then I said, ‘Now that I play with you, you’re different.’ I even joked, ‘Why don’t you come to Brazil? The number 10 is open, no problem.’ Because in Brazil, we don’t have that kind of player right now. If you see us, we play 4-2-4 — there’s no proper number 10.”

World Cup disappointment for Chelsea pair

Despite their strong performances for Chelsea, both Palmer and Pedro will be watching the World Cup from home. Palmer’s exclusion from the England squad came as a shock, with coach Thomas Tuchel citing inconsistent international form as the reason. The German manager reportedly favoured tactical balance over Palmer’s creative spark, emphasising the need for reliability on the big stage.

Pedro, meanwhile, was left out of Brazil’s final selection despite being named Chelsea’s Player of the Season. Carlo Ancelotti explained that the decision was based on experience and Neymar’s return to full fitness, though he admitted it was a difficult call. The omission stings for Pedro, who delivered 20 goal contributions in his first Premier League season with the Blues.

Ancelotti’s approach to building Brazil

Even after the disappointment, Pedro expressed full respect for his national team manager. He praised Ancelotti’s approach since taking over as Brazil’s head coach, highlighting his emphasis on collective strength over individual brilliance. The striker also noted that the Italian tactician allows his players freedom within a structured system.

“He says he doesn’t want one star — he wants the whole group,” Pedro explained. “He believes the team is stronger than one man. And when he speaks, everyone listens because he’s a winner. He builds relationships with players, tells you what he expects, but also gives you space to play your game and enjoy football. That’s why he’s so good for the team.”

Pedro’s bold World Cup prediction

Looking ahead to the tournament in North America, Pedro is optimistic about Brazil’s chances of ending their 24-year wait for a World Cup trophy. He pointed out Vinicius Junior and Raphinha as key players who will thrive under Ancelotti’s philosophy of teamwork and shared responsibility, provided the squad stays united.

“Of course, Vinicius is going to be the main guy. But for him to shine, he needs the team behind him,” Pedro said. “It’s not about blaming one person if things go wrong. Everyone has to think the same way, move in the same direction — then you’ll see the best of Vinicius and Raphinha.”

The Chelsea forward ended on a playful note, predicting a blockbuster showdown later in the tournament. With Brazil drawn alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland in the group stage, Pedro couldn’t resist teasing his club-mate, saying: “We’re going to beat England in the quarter-final.”