Joao Pedro has played with some top talent at Chelsea and while representing Brazil.
The above includes Cole Palmer, who was praised by Pedro in a recent interview. The forward has admitted that he did not realise how good his teammate was until he started playing with him.
Nevertheless, Pedro has still excluded Palmer from a five-a-side team consisting of the best footballers he has played with in his career.
If Chelsea have to sell this summer, which ONE are you sacrificing?🤔
Xabi Alonso has addressed the futures of Marc Cucurella, Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Joao Pedro names Enzo Fernandez and Reece James in five-a-side team
While Palmer did not make the cut, Pedro did include two other Chelsea teammates: Enzo Fernandez and Reece James.
Explaining his decision to pick Fernandez, he told Rio Ferdinand Presents: “He doesn’t talk, but the way he pushes you, the way he thinks, he thinks he’s the best. So that’s why I like him. His mentality — I’m the best.
“Doesn’t matter against who he plays, he always thinks he’s the best. So, the confidence he has in himself is very good.”
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea celebrates
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
There was no explanation for James’ inclusion; however, in an earlier part of the interview with Ferdinand, he did speak very highly of his captain.
Pedro highlighted James’ leadership qualities, explaining how the England defender always encourages him when he goes a game without scoring.
If Barcelona get their way, Pedro and James will not be teammates for much longer. Barcelona want to sign Pedro this summer, but Chelsea have no intention of selling the Brazilian.
Joao Pedro’s five-a-side team in full
Pedro’s five-a-side team is stacked with quality! The rest of the side was made up of Marquinhos, Casemiro and Vinicius Jr.
Pedro would have loved to have gone to the World Cup with all three of those players. Unfortunately, Pedro was left out of the Brazil squad by Carlo Ancelotti.
The 24-year-old has been one of the best forwards in the Premier League this season. In 35 games, he scored 15 goals and provided five assists.
In the end, though, it was not enough to convince Ancelotti. It is good news for Xabi Alonso, who will be getting a fresh and energised Pedro.
It will be exactly the same with Palmer, who will also not be going to the World Cup after being omitted from England’s squad. However, unlike Pedro, Palmer’s exclusion was probably warranted after a difficult year.
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