Chelsea boss tips Joao Pedro to be Brazil’s World Cup number nine

Chelsea boss tips Joao Pedro to be Brazil’s World Cup number nine

Calum McFarlane has tipped Chelsea forward Joao Pedro to be Brazil’s number nine at this summer’s World Cup.

Pedro has enjoyed an impressive debut season at Chelsea since arriving from Brighton in a £60m deal last summer. The 24-year-old has scored 20 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions, form which has placed him in contention for a prominent World Cup role.

Brazil are yet to settle on a their first-choice forward for the 2026 World Cup, but McFarlane believes Pedro has what it takes.

The interim Chelsea coach said Pedro had ‘settled into’ the position at Chelsea and has ‘everything you’d want from a top number nine’.

Pedro has won eight caps for Brazil to date but is yet to open his goalscoring account for the five-time world champions.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup final against Manchester City, McFarlane said: “He has had a great year and played many different positions, but he seems to have settled into that number nine role, and he’s got everything you’d want from a top number nine.

“It’s a big summer coming up for him with the World Cup with Brazil, but he’s been excellent for Chelsea, and hopefully we continue that for the last three games.”

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