Former Watford star Adrian Mariappa has tipped ‘special’ Joao Pedro for Premier League stardom having dazzled in the Championship this season.
The ex-Hornets centre-back played with Pedro for six months when the Brazilian first arrived at Vicarage Road from Fluminense back in January 2020.
Mariappa left Watford following their relegation from the top-flight in 2020, with Pedro going on to become an integral player for the Hertfordshire outfit.
He helped his side secure an instant return the following campaign with nine goals, before scoring three times in the Premier League during the 2021/22 campaign as Watford once again failed to beat the drop.
But he impressed for Watford, leading to two failed offers from Newcastle last summer.
Instead of seeking a move away, Pedro decided to pledge his long-term future to the Hornets in a deal until 2028.
And Mariappa believes the 21-year-old is destined for a long career in the Premier League having already matched his Championship tally from two years ago.
Mariappa has also lauded Pedro over his maturity with Slaven Bilic entrusting him with the captain’s armband in recent weeks.
Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, Mariappa said: “[Pedro has] so much potential.
“I think he was 17/18 when he came to the club when I was there and you could just tell see that he had that something special.
“It doesn’t surprise me what he’s doing now because I feel like he’s definitely a Premier League player.
“You see some of the games he’s playing at the moment [and] it looks effortless for him.
“He’s playing so well and full of confidence. Testament to him that he’s wearing the armband.
“When he came to England, Heurelho Gomes looked after him so well, so if you’re going to have someone to look up to and learn from, what a person and what a character to gain experience from.
“I’m pretty sure some of those leadership qualities and the way he conducted himself would have rubbed off on JP anyway.
“He’s got good people around the training ground to learn from as well [like] Craig Cathcart [and] Tom Cleverley and these guys would have been looking after him as well.
“He’s another one that the club have showed a lot of faith towards.
“He loves the club as well and you can see that with his performances [as] he’s just really enjoying his game.”
