Former Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has drawn a striking parallel between his new striker João Pedro and the legendary Karim Benzema, even going as far as to place the Brazilian forward in the same conversation as Manchester City’s prolific goal‑machine Erling Haaland. The endorsement came shortly after João Pedro was honoured as the Premier League Player of the Month for August, a recognition that reflected his immediate impact on the pitch – two goals and two assists in just his first three league outings for the Blues. Alonso, who has been visibly thrilled by the newcomer’s contributions, believes the 24‑year‑old’s performances merit a spot among the elite forwards currently plying their trade in England. "If you look at the list of top strikers in the Premier League, I’m convinced João belongs there," the former Spanish international said during a recent press conference.
"I would certainly rate him alongside the very best, including Haaland." The Spaniard highlighted not only João’s technical abilities but also his character, noting that the striker’s maturity, work ethic and desire to improve set him apart. "He’s been outstanding – not just in terms of football, but also in his personality.
He has a clear goal for this season: to score a lot, to enjoy a great campaign, and to be in contention for Player of the Month awards more than once. I’m not surprised by his form, but I’m genuinely delighted to have a player of his calibre at Chelsea." Alonso’s admiration deepened when he pointed out specific similarities with Benzema, the Frenchman who amassed 354 goals in 658 appearances for Real Madrid.
"In many respects he reminds me of Benzema," Alonso explained. "He’s effective inside the box, comfortable outside it, adept at cutting in from the left, and strong in the air. He’s a very complete forward and very intelligent in his movement." While acknowledging João’s youth and the room for further development, Alonso emphasized the striker’s already impressive skill set.
"He’s still young and there are aspects he can refine, but he already possesses a host of outstanding qualities that make him a nightmare for defenders," the coach said. The Brazilian’s resurgence has also caught the attention of the national team selectors. After being omitted from Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad, João earned a recall to the Brazil side this week, a testament to his form at club level.
"It was painful for him to miss the World Cup, but that’s behind us now," Alonso added. "We’re focusing on what he’s doing well and how he can continue to improve." João Pedro is a key component of a potent Chelsea attacking trio that includes 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 across the first three Premier League fixtures, a statistic that underscores their chemistry and complementary playing styles. Speaking to Sky Sports, João praised the synergy within the front three. "We think in a similar way, yet we’re very different players, which makes us complete each other," he said.
"Having two No 10s like Cole and Morgan behind me is fantastic. Cole can both create and score, and Morgan does something similar, but I’m more of a traditional number nine – I hold the ball, finish the chances, while Cole drifts into the spaces between the lines and Morgan loves to carry the ball and take on defenders." Alonso’s comments not only elevate João Pedro’s status within the Premier League but also signal a broader strategic vision for Chelsea. By nurturing a forward who blends the poaching instincts of a classic striker with the versatility and intelligence of a modern attacker, the club aims to compete on multiple fronts – domestically and in Europe.
The manager’s comparison to Benzema suggests an expectation that João will evolve into a player capable of influencing games both inside and outside the penalty area, while the Haaland benchmark sets a lofty target for goal output and consistency. If João can sustain his early-season momentum, refine the finer points of his game, and stay injury‑free, he could indeed become one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards.
His ability to link play, finish with both feet and his head, and adapt to various tactical setups makes him a valuable asset for any manager seeking a multifaceted attack. In summary, Xabi Alonso’s enthusiastic appraisal of João Pedro – likening him to Benzema and placing him in the same tier as Haaland – reflects both the striker’s immediate impact and his potential for long‑term greatness. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the Brazilian to see whether he can translate this early promise into a sustained campaign of goals, assists, and memorable performances for Chelsea and, perhaps, the Brazil national team as well.