Moises Caicedo Lauds 'Underrated' Chelsea Teammate Joao Pedro as World-Class Talent
Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has made a bold declaration about his teammate Joao Pedro, describing the Brazilian striker as "one of the best players in the world" and highlighting his underrated status in global football. The Ecuador international's comments come as Chelsea prepare for a crucial Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain.
High Praise for Impressive First Season
Joao Pedro has enjoyed a remarkable debut campaign at Stamford Bridge since his £60 million transfer from Brighton last summer. The 24-year-old Brazil international has netted 18 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions, quickly establishing himself as Chelsea's first-choice striker ahead of Liam Delap.
Caicedo, himself considered among the world's elite midfielders, told Sky Sports that Pedro possesses "everything" required of a top-level forward. "People don't know how good he is," Caicedo emphasized. "For me he's one of the best players, not just in the Premier League but in the world. His movement, the way he plays, how he scores goals – for me, as a striker he has everything."
Training Ground Excellence
The Chelsea midfielder also singled out another teammate for special praise, highlighting Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos as a consistent standout in training sessions. Santos has made 35 appearances this season and has featured prominently since manager Liam Rosenior's January appointment.
"There are a lot but Andrey Santos," Caicedo responded when asked which player frequently impresses during training. "He's so good every day in training and now he's doing really well in games too so I'm so happy for him."
Champions League Challenge Ahead
Chelsea face a significant challenge as they attempt to overturn a three-goal deficit against reigning Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain in Tuesday night's last-16 second leg at Stamford Bridge. The Blues suffered a disappointing defeat to Newcastle United in their previous outing, adding pressure to their European campaign.
Pedro expressed confidence ahead of the crucial encounter, stating: "We know our strengths, we still believe because we showed in the Club World Cup when we won 3-0. The group believe, the manager believes, the fans should believe as well."
Manager Liam Rosenior acknowledged the difficulty of their position while maintaining optimism: "If you look at the game in isolation and the scoreline, we were punished by very good players for our own mistakes. We have been undone in games by those moments. We can't make mistakes tomorrow. We have to remember PSG are European champions for a reason but we know we can compete."
The high-stakes match represents an opportunity for Pedro to demonstrate the world-class qualities his teammate so passionately described, as Chelsea seek to salvage their Champions League ambitions against formidable opposition.
