Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has offered striking praise for Joao Pedro, suggesting the Brazilian forward's early-season form places him among the elite strikers in world football.
Joao Pedro has made an immediate impact since the start of the campaign, contributing two goals and two assists across his opening three matches for the Blues. His performances earned him the Premier League's Player of the Month award for August, an achievement that has further boosted confidence in the 24-year-old as he settles into Alonso's setup alongside Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, the club's £117million summer signing, in a potent attacking trio.
Speaking to reporters, Alonso was asked directly whether he considered Joao Pedro to be operating at the same level as Manchester City's Erling Haaland, who claimed the Premier League Golden Boot last season with 27 goals. The Chelsea manager did not hesitate in his response.
"I would say yes," Alonso said. "If you count how many top strikers we have in the Premier League, I am sure that Joao is there. So I would rate him that way."
Alonso went further, praising not just the forward's footballing qualities but also his character and ambition since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
"He has been top. Not just football-wise, personality-wise. His maturity, his desire," Alonso explained. "He has a very strong goal this year: to have a great season, to score many goals, and to be a nominee for not just this month but more months. I am not surprised, but really happy with the kind of player that we have here with Joao."
The Spanish coach also drew a comparison between Joao Pedro and Karim Benzema, his former teammate during his playing days at Real Madrid. Benzema enjoyed a storied 14-year career at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring 354 goals in 658 appearances while collecting four LaLiga titles and five Champions League trophies, in addition to being crowned Ballon d'Or winner in 2022.
"In many things he reminds me of Benzema," Alonso said. "Because he is good in the box, he is good out of the box, he is good coming to the left side, he is good with the head. He is very complete and he is intelligent."
Despite the glowing comparisons, Alonso was careful to note that Joao Pedro still has room to grow as a player, suggesting there is more potential to unlock as he continues his development at Chelsea.
"He is still young. He still has things to develop," the manager added. "But he has many, many absolutely outstanding qualities."
The endorsement from Alonso, who took charge at Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window, will likely raise expectations further for Joao Pedro as Chelsea look to build on a promising start to the season. With his blend of technical ability, aerial threat, and versatility across the front line, the Brazilian appears to have quickly won over his new manager and established himself as a key figure in the club's attacking plans.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether Joao Pedro can sustain this level of performance and continue to draw favorable comparisons to some of the game's most decorated forwards.
Based on reporting from Independent (football).