Chelsea forward Joao Pedro has come out in strong support of teammate Cole Palmer following his shock omission from England’s World Cup squad.

Palmer was left stunned after Thomas Tuchel dropped him from the England squad ahead of this summer’s tournament, a decision that sent shockwaves through the football world.

The 24-year-old endured a difficult season at club level, managing just 11 goals in 34 appearances as Chelsea failed to win silverware or secure Champions League qualification.

Pedro, speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents Podcast, was emphatic in his praise for Palmer, describing the Chelsea star as a “magic” footballer with rare qualities.

The Brazilian forward went as far as suggesting Palmer would walk into the current Brazil setup if he weren’t English, pointing to the No.10 role as a perfect fit.

Pedro said: “He’s very intelligent. He’s magic. I said to him before, ‘I didn’t think you were that good.’ And he looked at me. I said, ‘Yeah, but now because I play with him, yeah, he’s different.”

Pedro continued: “I said to him, ‘Why don’t you come to Brazil? The number 10 there, mate. No problem.’ Because in Brazil, we don’t have this guy.”

The Brazilian added: “If you watch us, we play 4-2-4. We don’t have a number 10. So, yeah, Cole is a different guy.”

Pedro rounded off his assessment by highlighting Palmer’s game-changing ability, saying: “Sometimes he’s quiet. But then, one second, he changes the game. So, he’s very good.”

The glowing tribute from Pedro underlines just how highly Palmer is regarded within the Chelsea dressing room, despite his below-par campaign by his own lofty standards.

Palmer’s exclusion from Tuchel’s squad remains one of the most debated selections ahead of the summer World Cup, with many inside the game struggling to understand the decision.

Meanwhile, Pedro himself has been linked with a surprise move to Barcelona, though Chelsea sources have made their position on the matter absolutely clear.

Sources close to Chelsea told Football London that the former Brighton forward is not for sale at any price this summer, following a stunning debut season at Stamford Bridge.

Pedro scored 20 goals in his first campaign at the club, cementing his place as a key figure in Chelsea’s plans for next season and beyond.

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