Cole Palmer Would Start As Brazil Number 10, Says Joao Pedro

Cole Palmer misses England's World Cup squad, yet one Chelsea team-mate believes Palmer could start for Brazil. Joao Pedro rates Palmer so highly that Pedro argues Palmer has the level for Brazil’s national side, despite both players being among the most discussed omissions from this summer’s tournament.

Thomas Tuchel left Palmer out of England’s 26-man World Cup squad announced last week. Tuchel instead selected Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers. Palmer’s absence follows a mixed campaign, which has prompted debate among supporters in England and beyond about the decision.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Joao Pedro praised Palmer’s talent and mentality in detail. 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."

Palmer’s club form has dipped compared with earlier highs for Chelsea. Since the end of last year’s Club World Cup, where Palmer delivered three goals and two assists in five matches, Palmer has not matched that influence. Palmer still finished this season with 14 goal contributions in all competitions, including 11 goals and three assists.

Those 14 contributions represent Palmer’s lowest season return for Chelsea after 40 in 2023-24 and 26 in 2024-25. Almost half of Palmer’s recent goals, five in total, came from penalties. Palmer scored once in Chelsea’s final 13 club games. Carlo Ancelotti also left Joao Pedro out of Brazil’s squad, calling Endrick, Luiz Henrique, Igor Thiago, Rayan and Neymar, with Neymar managing a calf problem before the tournament, while debate continues over Palmer’s and Pedro’s exclusions.