"Saliba is better than Gabriel Magalhães", says Brazil legend who has big hopes for Chelsea's João Pedro

Exclusive by Alessandro Schiavone

A Brazilian football legend has snubbed Gabriel Magalhães in favour of William Saliba when quizzed on whose talent shines the brightest.

Former Marseille and Shakhtar Donetsk striker Brandão rose to fame after scoring the goal that knocked Inter Milan out of the Champions League in 2012, the same year Chelsea lifted the coveted trophy.

In an exclusive interview with Capital Football, Brandão has picked Frenchman Saliba over his countryman.

He told Capital Football: "Maybe later in his career Gabriel will get to Thiago Silva's level.

"He has already succeeded and is a good defender.

"But I hope he can get to an even higher level because as of today Saliba is better than him."

São Paulo-born Brandão then had his say on Chelsea's João Pedro who failed to score in his last four Premier League games and is up against Tottenham's Richarlison for the Seleçao's number 9 role.

He said: "He has a lot of qualities. In my opinion he has what it takes to be a Brazil starter.

"He and Richarlison have different profiles though.

"The Tottenham striker is very strong and has already player at a World Cup.

"But João Pedro exudes quality. He demands the ball, holds up the play and has pace to burn.

"As I said, he can be Brazil's regular starter in attack.

"But to play for Brazil is very complicated because every manager has his own ideal profile.

"Neymar and Vinicius Jr can both flank João Pedro.

"Ancelotti likes to play in a 4-4-2 style and could also go on to use Neymar as a false 9.

"He's an experienced manager who knows each player backwards already and it will be only his decision."