Palmer would start as Brazil's number 10, says Joao Pedro

Despite having missed out on England's World Cup squad, Cole Palmer would have the quality to make Brazil's starting lineup.

That is the view of Palmer's Chelsea team-mate Joao Pedro, who is another of the most high-profile absentees from this summer's tournament.

Palmer was left out of Thomas Tuchel's 26-man squad last week, with Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers among those selected in his place.

Palmer has not been at his best since the end of last year's Club World Cup, where he led Chelsea to the trophy with three goals and two assists in five matches.

This season, he registered 14 goal involvements across all competitions (11 goals, three assists), his fewest in a single campaign with Chelsea (40 in 2023-24 and 26 in 2024-25).

Almost half of his goals in that time have come from the penalty spot (five), while he ended his club season with one goal in the Blues' final 13 matches (all competitions).

But Joao Pedro is certain that if Palmer were Brazilian, he would be a key player for their national team.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Joao Pedro said: "He's very intelligent. He's magic.

"I said to him before, 'I didn't think you were that good.' And he just looked at me! But now, because I play with him, yeah, he's different.

"I said to him, 'Why don't you come to Brazil? Take the number 10 there, mate. No problem.'

"Because in Brazil, we don't have this guy. If you watch us, we play 4-2-4. We don't have a number 10.

"Cole is a different guy. Sometimes he's quiet, but in one second, he's changed the game. So he's very good."

Carlo Ancelotti left Joao Pedro out of his Brazil party, instead calling up the likes of Endrick, Luiz Henrique, Igor Thiago, Rayan and Neymar, the latter of whom is dealing with a calf issue in the build-up to the tournament.