FOOTBALL
Posted on May 29, 2026 9:00 pm | Updated on May 29, 2026 7:38 pm Two Chelsea stars, one World Cup snub and a bold Brazil claim.
Forget Neymar’s successor debate. According to Joao Pedro, the answer is already playing in west London. Chelsea team-mates Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro have both missed out on the Brazil World Cup and England’s World Cup squads this summer. Pedro had only warm words for his club colleague, though.
Pedro: Cole Palmer is Brazil’s missing number 10
Joao Pedro sat down on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast and talked about Cole Palmer. He admitted he did not think Palmer was that good before he joined Chelsea. But playing with him every week at Stamford Bridge changed his mind fast. As per the Goal, Pedro called Palmer “magic” and “very intelligent.”
Palmer sees the game in a way that most players simply do not and Pedro was not shy about saying so. The 24-year-old even told Palmer to come to Brazil and wear the number 10 shirt. Brazil play a 4-2-4 system and do not have a natural playmaker in that position right now. Pedro thinks Palmer is the perfect fit and would slot into that role without any trouble.
Cole Palmer’s season, as per FotMob:
Tournaments Matches Goals Assists
Premier League 26 10 1
FA Cup 3 0 0
Champions League 4 1 2
EFL Cup 1 0 0
World Cup heartbreak for Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro
Missing the Brazil World Cup is a real blow for Joao Pedro. He just finished a brilliant debut Premier League season with 20 goal involvements for Chelsea and was named the club’s Player of the Season. That made the snub from Carlo Ancelotti sting even more. Ancelotti chose experience and brought Neymar back into the squad, though he did express genuine regret about leaving Pedro behind.
Palmer’s situation with England is just as frustrating. Thomas Tuchel left him out of the FIFA World Cup squad, citing a lack of consistency at international level rather than any doubt over his football quality. That reasoning raised eyebrows, given Palmer scored 10 goals and registered 1 assist in the Premier League this season, finishing as one of the division’s most productive attacking players.
Pedro backs Brazil to end their 24-Year wait
Pedro has not let the personal disappointment affect his belief in Brazil. He is confident the squad has what it takes to go all the way in North America. He pointed to Vinicius Junior and Raphinha as the key attacking weapons, but was clear that no single player wins a World Cup on his own. As per transfermarkt, Vinicius finished the club season with 22 goals and 14 assists across all competitions for Real Madrid, while Raphinha contributed 22 goals for Barcelona. That is the kind of firepower no defence in the world will enjoy facing.
Pedro also spoke highly of Ancelotti’s approach, saying the Italian builds real relationships with his players and gives them the freedom to express themselves. As per the Goal, Pedro described Ancelotti’s management style as structured but freeing, saying the Italian gives players “the freedom to play your football.” That mix of structure and trust, Pedro believes, is exactly what Brazil have been missing for years. He also made a bold call, predicting Brazil will knock England out in the quarter-finals. For Palmer, that would make for uncomfortable viewing.
Author’s Opinion
Pedro’s admiration for Palmer feels genuine, not just polite. Two world-class players, both unfairly frozen out this summer, both with something to prove. If their club form next season is anything like this year, their national team managers may not have the luxury of leaving them out again.
Read Next: Neymar injury scare rocks Brazil before World Cup return
Read More: Joao Pedro breaks silence on Brazil World Cup snub
Also Read:England World Cup squad shock Leaves Foden and Palmer out
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Deepanjali Bhardwaj
Deepanjali Bhardwaj is a Sports Writer at Six Sports, covering both football and cricket with a focus on match developments, player performances, and key talking points across the two sports. Her work combines timely reporting with clear analysis, helping readers stay informed about major matches, tournaments, and emerging storylines in the football and cricket landscape. Through her coverage at Six Sports, Deepanjali contributes match reports, analytical pieces, and feature stories that highlight important moments, team strategies, and standout player performances across domestic and international competitions.
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