Xabi Alonso has drawn a striking parallel between Chelsea’s emerging striker João Pedro and the legendary Karim Benzema, while also asserting that the Brazilian forward belongs in the same conversation as Manchester City’s goal‑machine Erling Haaland. The endorsement came after João Pedro was crowned the Premier League Player of the Month for August, a recognition that reflected his immediate impact: two goals and two assists across his first three appearances for the Blues.
Alonso, who now manages Chelsea, expressed genuine enthusiasm for the young striker’s contributions. He highlighted that João, who netted 20 times in 50 outings for Chelsea last season, should be considered among the elite forwards currently plying their trade in England’s top flight. When pressed during a press briefing about whether he truly views João as being on Haaland’s level, the Spaniard answered without hesitation, "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." Alonso praised not only João’s on‑field attributes but also his character. "He has been top. Not just football‑wise, personality‑wise.
His maturity, his desire," the manager noted. He added that the striker’s personal goal for the season is crystal clear: to deliver a prolific campaign, find the back of the net consistently, and earn nominations for Player of the Month on a regular basis.
"I am not surprised, but really happy with the kind of player that we have here with João," Alonso concluded. The comparison to Benzema was not made lightly. Alonso, who played alongside the French forward at Real Madrid, recalled the Frenchman’s remarkable record of 354 goals in 658 matches for the Spanish giants. "In many things he reminds me of Benzema," he 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." While acknowledging João’s youth, Alonso emphasized that the Brazilian already possesses a suite of outstanding qualities, though there remains room for development.
"He is still young. He still has things to develop. But he has many, many absolutely outstanding qualities," the manager affirmed. João’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.
Alonso recognized the disappointment the omission caused the player, describing it as "painful for him," but quickly shifted the focus to his current performances and future potential. "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," he added. The striker forms part of a potent attacking trio alongside Cole Palmer and the £117 million summer acquisition Morgan Rogers. All three have flourished under Alonso’s guidance, collectively contributing six goals and four assists in the opening three Premier League fixtures.
João believes the combination works because each player brings a distinct skill set that complements the others. "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 front three: "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." Alonso’s remarks underline a broader trend in the Premier League: the emergence of versatile forwards who can operate both as traditional target men and as mobile, link‑up players.
João Pedro exemplifies this hybrid model. His ability to finish with both feet, his aerial prowess, and his willingness to drop deeper to facilitate play mirror the attributes that made Benzema a perennial threat at Real Madrid. At the same time, his physical presence and directness echo the qualities that have propelled Haaland to the forefront of modern football. Looking ahead, both manager and player are optimistic about the season’s trajectory.
Alonso expects João to continue refining his game, adding new dimensions to his already impressive repertoire. The striker, for his part, is eager to translate his early success into a sustained campaign, aiming to become a regular contender for the Premier League’s top scorer award and to cement his place in Brazil’s senior squad. In summary, Xabi Alonso’s endorsement of João Pedro as a Benzema‑like talent and a peer of Haaland reflects a growing belief that the Brazilian forward is poised to become one of England’s premier strikers. With his blend of technical skill, physicality, and football intelligence, João is well‑positioned to make a lasting impact for Chelsea and on the international stage.