Xabi Alonso compares Joao Pedro to Benzema and Haaland
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says 24-year-old striker Joao Pedro shares styling similarities with Karim Benzema and matches Erling Haaland's level.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso compares Joao Pedro to Manchester City's Erling Haaland
- Pedro, 24, has scored two goals and provided two assists in his first three games
- Won the Premier League Player of the Month award for the first time on Friday
- Alonso highlights his rounded skillset and compares him to Karim Benzema
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has stated that Blues striker Joao Pedro shares similarities in style with his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema and operates at a comparable level to Manchester City's prolific forward Erling Haaland.
The 24-year-old Brazil international has netted two goals and provided two assists in his first three matches of the season, earning him the Premier League Player of the Month award on Friday. It marks the first time Pedro has claimed the accolade, finishing ahead of teammate Cole Palmer, who was Chelsea's previous recipient back in September 2024.
When asked if the forward could be measured against Haaland, who secured last season's Premier League Golden Boot with 27 goals, the Chelsea boss answered affirmatively. Pedro signed a contract extension at Stamford Bridge last month keeping him until 2034 and was given the number nine shirt ahead of the current campaign.
Pedro became the club's first striker since Diego Costa to reach 20 goals in a single season during his debut campaign, registering 25 goals and 11 assists in 57 matches since arriving last summer. Meanwhile, Norway's Haaland has recorded 42 goals and nine assists across his last 57 appearances for City.
Unlike Haaland, who functions as a specialist goalscorer, Pedro has previously featured as a midfielder, number 10, and winger, giving him a more rounded skillset. Alonso, who made 195 appearances alongside former Ballon d'Or winner Benzema at Madrid, noted clear parallels between the Frenchman and the young Brazilian.
"In many things he reminds me of Benzema, because he is good in the box, he is good out of the box, he is good coming to his left side, he is good with the head, he is very complete, he is intelligent."
Xabi Alonso
The Spanish coach added that while Pedro is still young and has room for development, he possesses numerous outstanding qualities. Benzema, now 38 and a free agent, has accumulated 523 goals in 994 appearances across his career with clubs like Lyon, Real Madrid, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Hilal.
Xabi Alonso's high praise highlighting Joao Pedro's resemblance to both Karim Benzema and Erling Haaland underscores the modern tactical demand for a "complete forward." Unlike traditional goal poachers, Pedro's background playing in deeper midfield and wide positions grants him advanced tactical awareness and link-up play, mirroring Benzema's influential style during his peak years at Real Madrid.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
On the international front, Pedro was a surprise omission from Brazil's squad for the World Cup over the summer, but he has since earned a recall for September's fixtures against New Zealand and India under manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Addressing whether the omission by Ancelotti—who previously coached Alonso at Madrid—has served as extra motivation, the Chelsea boss noted that the player already possessed enough internal drive. Alonso praised Pedro's personality, maturity, and clear desire to succeed in a campaign aimed at scoring plenty of goals.
Source: BBC Sport
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