Chelsea striker Joao Pedro has earned a major endorsement from Xabi Alonso, who compared his style to Karim Benzema and his level to Erling Haaland.
The Brazil international has made an impressive start to the season, scoring twice and providing two assists in his first three Premier League appearances. His form also earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award on Friday. It was the first time Joao Pedro had received the honour.
He finished ahead of Chelsea team-mate Cole Palmer, who was the club’s previous winner in September 2024. Asked whether Joao Pedro could be considered alongside Haaland among the Premier League’s leading strikers, Alonso gave a clear answer.
“I would say yes,” the Chelsea manager said.
“If you count how many top strikers we have in the Premier League, I’m sure that Joao [Pedro] is there, Haaland for sure is there. So I would rate him that way.”
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Joao Pedro signed a new Chelsea contract last month that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2034. He was also given the club’s number nine shirt at the start of the season after an impressive debut campaign. The striker became Chelsea’s first player in the position since Diego Costa to score 20 goals in a single season. He has since recorded 25 goals and 11 assists in 57 appearances for the club.
Haaland, meanwhile, has scored 42 goals and provided nine assists in his last 57 matches for Manchester City. The Norway international also won last season’s Premier League Golden Boot after scoring 27 goals.
However, Alonso believes Joao Pedro offers a more complete skill set than a traditional goalscorer. The Brazilian has played as a midfielder, number 10 and winger during his career. Alonso also sees similarities between him and Benzema, his former Real Madrid team-mate.
“In many things he reminds me of Benzema,” Alonso said.
“He is good in the box, he is good out of the box, he is good coming to his left side, he is good with the head, he is very complete, he is intelligent.”
Alonso acknowledged that Joao Pedro still has room to develop but praised the qualities he already possesses.
