Former Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has drawn a direct comparison between his striker João Pedro and the legendary Karim Benzema, while also insisting that the Brazilian forward belongs in the same conversation as Manchester City’s prolific scorer Erling Haaland. The endorsement came after João Pedro was crowned Premier League Player of the Month for August, a recognition that reflected his immediate impact: two goals and two assists across his first three league appearances for the Blues.
Alonso expressed genuine delight at the young man’s contributions, noting that the 24‑year‑old, who notched 20 goals in 50 outings for Chelsea last season, should be measured against the very best strikers in England. When asked during a press conference whether João Pedro could be placed on the same level as Haaland, the former Spain international replied unequivocally, "I would say yes.
If you count how many top strikers we have in the Premier League, I am sure that João is there. So I would rate him that way." He went on to praise not only João’s technical qualities but also his character, saying, "He has been top. Not just football‑wise, personality‑wise.
His maturity, his desire. 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 João." Alonso’s admiration deepened as he highlighted the parallels with Benzema, the French forward who amassed 354 goals in 658 matches for Real Madrid.
"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. He is still young.
He still has things to develop. But he has many, many absolutely outstanding qualities." The Brazilian’s form has also earned him a recall to the Brazil national team after being omitted from Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad.
Alonso acknowledged the disappointment João felt, noting, "It was painful for him, but that's way back. And we are now talking about other things, like what he is doing well and what he can do better." Beyond individual accolades, João Pedro has become a key component of a potent attacking trio that includes Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, the latter a £117 million summer acquisition who has also thrived under Alonso’s guidance. Collectively, the three have contributed six goals and four assists in the opening three Premier League fixtures, a statistic that underscores their synergy.
João explained the dynamic to Sky Sports, saying, "We are very similar in the way we think, but also we are very different players, so I think we complete each other. For me, it's very good when you look behind and you have two No 10s like Cole and Morgan. I'm very happy to play with them.
I think Cole can pass very well but also he can score. Morgan is a little bit the same.
The way we think is very similar, but in the same way, I am more of a nine; I hold the ball more. Cole is more of a 10, and Morgan is more carrying the ball and dribbling." Alonso’s public endorsement carries weight not only because of his own pedigree as a World Cup‑winning midfielder but also because he has overseen the development of several young talents at Chelsea. His belief that João Pedro possesses a blend of physical presence, technical skill, and tactical intelligence places the striker among the elite echelons of the league.
While Haaland’s record‑breaking goal tallies are often cited as the benchmark for modern forwards, Alonso argues that João’s versatility—his ability to score with both feet, dominate aerially, and contribute to build‑up play—mirrors the all‑round game that defines the very best. The comparison to Benzema is particularly telling.
Benzema’s career has been defined by his capacity to adapt, dropping deep to link play, drifting wide to create space, and finishing clinically inside the box. João Pedro exhibits a similar propensity to operate in multiple zones, making late runs, holding up play, and using his physicality to shield the ball.
Alonso highlighted these traits, emphasizing the Brazilian’s intelligence on the pitch and his willingness to improve. "He is still young. He still has things to develop," Alonso noted, suggesting that the ceiling for João could be even higher if he continues to refine his craft.
The broader context of the Premier League also supports Alonso’s assessment. England’s top flight has seen a surge of world‑class strikers—Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Gabriel Jesus, and now João Pedro—all vying for the title of the league’s most lethal forward. By placing João in that conversation, Alonso is signaling that the Brazilian has already earned a place among the continent’s most feared attackers. Looking ahead, João Pedro’s objectives are clear: maintain his scoring rhythm, expand his assist numbers, and cement his role as a consistent nominee for Player of the Month awards.
His ambition, as described by Alonso, is to become a regular fixture in the national team and to help Chelsea challenge for domestic and European honors. With the backing of a manager who openly compares him to both Benzema and Haaland, the expectations are lofty, but João’s early performances suggest he possesses the tools to meet them.
In summary, Xabi Alonso’s remarks underscore a growing belief that João Pedro is not merely a promising talent but a fully fledged top‑tier striker. His blend of goal‑scoring instinct, all‑round technical ability, and mature mindset aligns him with some of the most celebrated forwards of the modern era. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the Brazilian to see whether he can sustain this level of performance and truly cement his status alongside the likes of Benzema and Haaland.