Xabi Alonso has drawn a direct comparison between Chelsea’s emerging forward João Pedro and the legendary Karim Benzema, while also insisting that the Brazilian striker belongs in the same tier 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 spectacular start to his Chelsea campaign in which he recorded two goals and two assists across his first three league fixtures.
Alonso expressed genuine delight at the impact the 24‑year‑old has had since arriving at Stamford Bridge. He noted that João Pedro, who notched 20 goals in 50 appearances for Chelsea last season, should be regarded alongside the league’s elite forwards, including his Manchester City counterpart. When asked during a press conference whether he considered the Brazilian to be on the same level as Haaland, Alonso answered unequivocally: “I would say yes.” He continued, “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.” The former Spain midfielder praised not only João’s technical abilities but also his character, noting, “He has been top. Not just football‑wise, personality‑wise. His maturity, his desire.” Alonso added that the striker’s ambition for the season is crystal clear: to score a high tally of goals and to be shortlisted for Player of the Month honours on more than one occasion. “I am not surprised, but really happy with the kind of player that we have here with João,” he said.
Alonso’s admiration did not stop there. He drew a parallel between João Pedro and his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema, who amassed 354 goals in 658 matches for the Spanish giants.
“In many things he reminds me of Benzema,” Alonso explained. “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.” While acknowledging that João is still young and has areas to improve, Alonso emphasized that the Brazilian already possesses “many, many absolutely outstanding qualities.” The striker’s recent form also earned him a recall to the Brazil national team after he had been omitted from Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad. “It was painful for him,” Alonso remarked, “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.” João Pedro has become an integral part of a potent attacking trio that also features Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, the latter a £117 million summer acquisition who, like Palmer, has thrived under Alonso’s guidance.
Collectively, the three have contributed six goals and four assists in the opening three Premier League matches, a statistic that underlines their complementary styles. João explained to Sky Sports how the partnership works: “We are very similar in the way we think, but also we are very different players, so I think we complete each other.” He elaborated on the dynamics within the front line, saying, “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.” João highlighted his own role as a classic number nine, holding up the ball and finishing chances, while Palmer operates more as a creator and Rogers combines ball‑carrying with dribbling prowess. “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,” he said. Alonso’s praise for João Pedro extends beyond the immediate statistics. He believes the striker’s blend of physical presence, technical skill, and football intelligence makes him a rare talent in the English game. “He can finish with his feet, he can finish with his head, he can find space in tight areas, and he can create opportunities for teammates,” Alonso noted.
This versatility, coupled with a strong work ethic and a calm demeanor on the pitch, mirrors the attributes that made Benzema a stalwart at Real Madrid and that have propelled Haaland to the forefront of world football. Looking ahead, both club and country have high expectations for João Pedro. Chelsea fans anticipate that his goal‑scoring streak will continue, potentially propelling the team into a serious title challenge. Meanwhile, the Brazilian national team hopes that his resurgence will translate into a more prominent role in future international tournaments.
Alonso’s endorsement, likening João to two of the modern game’s most celebrated forwards, suggests that the striker’s ceiling is still rising. In summary, Xabi Alonso’s assessment places João Pedro in elite company, drawing clear parallels with Karim Benzema’s all‑round attacking mastery and Erling Haaland’s lethal finishing. The Brazilian’s early season performances, combined with his evident maturity and desire to improve, have already earned him individual accolades and a national team recall. As the Premier League season progresses, all eyes will be on João to see whether he can sustain this level of excellence and truly cement his place among the league’s top strikers.