Xabi Alonso has drawn a striking comparison between Chelsea’s emerging forward João Pedro and the legendary Karim Benzema, insisting that the Brazilian striker belongs in the same conversation as Manchester City’s prolific scorer Erling Haaland. The endorsement came after João Pedro was honoured as the Premier League Player of the Month for August, a recognition that followed a dazzling start to his Chelsea campaign in which he recorded two goals and two assists across his first three league outings. Alonso, who now oversees the Blues’ attacking unit, expressed genuine delight at the impact the 24‑year‑old has made.
He highlighted that João, who netted 20 times in 50 appearances for Chelsea last season, should be measured against the very best strikers in England. When pressed during a press conference about whether the Brazilian could truly be placed on the same level as Haaland, Alonso answered unequivocally: “I would say yes.” He went on to explain that when you tally the elite forwards currently plying their trade in the Premier League, João unquestionably earns a spot among them.
"He has been top. Not just football‑wise, personality‑wise.
His maturity, his desire," Alonso said, emphasizing that the young man’s qualities extend beyond pure technical ability. "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." The former Real Madrid midfielder didn’t stop there.
He drew a direct line between João’s style and that of his former teammate Karim Benzema, who amassed 354 goals in 658 matches for the Spanish giants. "In many things he reminds me of Benzema," Alonso noted.
"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." Alonso’s praise came at a pivotal moment for João, who was recently recalled to the Brazil national team after being omitted from Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad. The exclusion had been a painful experience for the striker, but Alonso was quick to shift the narrative toward the future.
"It was painful for him," he said. "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." At Chelsea, João has become a key component of a lethal front three that also features Cole Palmer and the £117 million summer acquisition Morgan Rogers.
All three have thrived under Alonso’s guidance, collectively contributing six goals and four assists in the first three Premier League fixtures. João believes the blend of their individual strengths creates a harmonious attacking unit. "We are very similar in the way we think," he told Sky Sports, "but also we are very different players, so I think we complete each other." He elaborated on the dynamics within the trio: "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. I think 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." Beyond the statistics, Alonso highlighted João’s mental attributes. The striker’s professionalism, work ethic, and willingness to improve have impressed the coaching staff.
He has shown a keen appetite for learning, often staying after training sessions to fine‑tune his finishing and aerial technique. His ability to adapt to different tactical demands—whether dropping deep to link play or staying high to stretch defenses—mirrors the versatility that made Benzema a mainstay at Real Madrid for over a decade.
Looking ahead, Alonso believes João is poised to become a consistent contender for the Premier League Golden Boot and potentially earn a regular place in Brazil’s senior squad. The manager’s confidence is reflected in the club’s long‑term plans: João is expected to be a focal point of Chelsea’s attacking philosophy for years to come, with the coaching staff working closely with him on aspects such as movement off the ball, hold‑up play, and decision‑making in high‑pressure situations. In summary, Xabi Alonso’s endorsement positions João Pedro not only as a rising star but as a player already worthy of comparison with some of the game’s most celebrated forwards.
His early season performances, combined with his evident character and the tactical acumen displayed under Alonso’s tutelage, suggest that the Brazilian’s trajectory is firmly upward. If he continues on this path, João could well become a household name in English football, joining the ranks of elite strikers who dominate both domestically and on the international stage.