Joao Pedro names best player he's ever played with after £60m Chelsea move

Chelsea officially announced the £60m signing of João Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this week, committing the Brazilian to an eight-year contract.

As is now tradition, Chelsea flooded their social media channels with photos, videos, and interviews featuring their latest star. In one rapid-fire Q&A video, the 24-year-old was asked a series of quick questions.

Pedro’s answers were largely predictable: his favourite Chelsea player of all time? Frank Lampard. His football idol growing up? Neymar. The best player he’s ever played against? Cristiano Ronaldo.

But when asked who the best player he’s ever played with was, Pedro’s answer caught fans completely off guard.

"James Milner," he said.

Milner, who joined Brighton in 2023 at the age of 37, spent two seasons alongside Pedro at the Amex Stadium before the Brazilian's switch to Stamford Bridge.

While Milner, now 39, is undoubtedly a Premier League legend – boasting two league titles and a Champions League trophy with Liverpool – few expected Pedro to name him above flashier teammates or countrymen. Yet, fans were intrigued by the honest, perhaps heartfelt, answer.

One fan wrote on social media: “They asked João Pedro who's the best player he’s ever played with, and he just said Milner. I rate that.”

Milner, currently chasing Gareth Barry’s all-time Premier League appearance record, needs just 16 more games to surpass it. After signing an extension with Brighton, he’s likely to break the record next season.

And when Chelsea meet Brighton again, Milner may just become the best player Pedro has ever played against – not just alongside.

Better than Ronaldo? Maybe that's a stretch. But Pedro clearly rates the veteran midfielder higher than most expected.

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