Xabi Alonso has drawn a direct comparison between Chelsea’s new striker João Pedro and the legendary Karim Benzema, even going so far as to place the Brazilian forward in the same tier as Manchester City’s prolific scorer Erling Haaland. The endorsement came shortly after João Pedro was honoured as the Premier League Player of the Month for August, a recognition that followed a sensational start to his Chelsea campaign in which he contributed two goals and two assists across his first three league appearances.
Alonso, who has been visibly thrilled by the immediate impact of the 24‑year‑old, believes the young striker’s output merits a spot among the elite forwards currently plying their trade in England. "If you count how many top strikers we have in the Premier League, I am sure that João is there," the former Spanish international said during a press conference, confirming that he indeed views the Brazilian as being on the same level as Haaland.
"I would say yes, I would rate him that way. He has been top – not just in terms of football, but also in personality, maturity and desire." Alonso highlighted the striker’s ambition for the season, noting that João has set a personal target of delivering a prolific goal‑scoring record and earning multiple Player of the Month nominations. "He wants to have a great season, to score many goals, and to be a nominee for not just this month but more months," Alonso explained.
"I am not surprised, but I am really happy with the kind of player we have here." The Spanish manager didn’t stop at praising the numbers; he delved deeper into the stylistic similarities between João Pedro and his former Real Madrid teammate Benzema. Benzema, who amassed 354 goals in 658 appearances for the Spanish giants, is renowned for his all‑round attacking skill set. "In many ways he reminds me of Benzema," Alonso said.
"He is effective inside the box, he can drift outside it, he is comfortable on the left side, and he is strong in the air. He is a very complete and intelligent forward." Alonso also tempered his admiration with a realistic appraisal of the youngster’s development curve. "He is still young.
He still has things to develop, but he already possesses many, many outstanding qualities," the coach remarked. This balanced view underscores the belief that while João has already demonstrated a high ceiling, there is still room for refinement in areas such as link‑up play, positional nuance, and consistency against the toughest opposition.
João Pedro’s resurgence has not gone unnoticed on the international stage. After being omitted from Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the World Cup, the forward earned a recall this week, a decision that Alonso welcomed. "It was painful for him to miss out on the World Cup, but that is now behind us," he said. "We are now focusing on what he is doing well and where he can improve." At Chelsea, João forms part of a dynamic attacking trio alongside Cole Palmer and the £117 million summer signing Morgan Rogers.
The three have collectively contributed six goals and four assists in the opening three league fixtures, a testament to the chemistry that Alonso has cultivated. João himself described the partnership as complementary, noting that while the three share a similar footballing mindset, each brings a distinct skill set to the fore. "We think alike in many respects, but we are also very different players, so we complete each other," João told Sky Sports.
He elaborated on the specific roles: "Cole is a great passer and can also score; Morgan is similar, often carrying the ball and dribbling. I am more of a traditional number nine – I hold up the ball and finish.
Cole operates more as a number ten, creating chances, while Morgan blends the two by driving forward and taking on defenders." Alonso’s praise for João Pedro extends beyond the immediate season, hinting at a longer‑term vision for the striker’s place in both club and country. By likening him to Benzema, a player who evolved from a supporting forward to a central figure in a world‑class attack, Alonso signals his belief that João possesses the tools to become a focal point for Chelsea’s ambitions and potentially a regular fixture in Brazil’s senior lineup. The comparison to Haaland, meanwhile, underscores the level of performance expected in the Premier League’s current era, where physicality, pace, and clinical finishing are paramount. While Haaland’s goal‑per‑game ratio remains extraordinary, João’s early contributions suggest he is on a trajectory that could see him challenge the Norwegian’s dominance, at least within the context of Chelsea’s attacking output.
In summary, Xabi Alonso’s endorsement paints a picture of a young forward who has already made a significant impact, possesses a versatile skill set reminiscent of one of Europe’s finest strikers, and is poised to grow into a player capable of competing with the very best in the world. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on João Pedro to see whether he can sustain this early momentum, refine his game under Alonso’s guidance, and perhaps one day be spoken of in the same breath as Benzema and Haaland.