Madrid, Aug 13 (IANS): Spanish club Atletico Madrid's striker Fernando Torres said on Thursday that winger Pedro Rodriguez has all the qualities needed to be successful in the English Premier League (EPL).

Pedro, who has expressed his unhappiness with lack of playing time at Spanish club FC Barcelona, has been linked with a lucrative move to EPL giants Manchester United.

"He is a good friend, and if he decides that England is the next step in his career, I am sure he will do very well there," Torres, who has spent nearly seven years in England playing for clubs Liverpool and Chelsea, told the Daily Mirror.

"He has all the ability you would expect from a player who has been at Barcelona for so many years, but also he has a great work ethic," he added.

"He works hard, he will help defend, he won't be bullied, he has everything to succeed in EPL."

Pedro had admitted after the Super Cup victory against Spanish side Sevilla on Tuesday that he remains in "a difficult situation" regarding his position at Barcelona.

Torres admitted that the 28-year-old, who joined Barcelona in 2008, will find it hard to leave the Catalan giants, but needs to make the move to England in order to get more playing time.

"I think he will find it very hard to leave Barcelona, but I understand as much as anybody how important it is to be playing regularly - especially once you reach a certain age. You need to be at a club where you are playing a lot of football."