Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has drawn high-profile comparisons for striker Joao Pedro, suggesting the 24-year-old shares stylistic traits with his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema and performs at a level comparable to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. Since arriving at Stamford Bridge last summer, the Brazilian international has been a transformative force, netting 25 goals and providing 11 assists across 57 appearances.
Pedro’s impact was recognized on Friday when he was named the Premier League’s Player of the Month. The achievement marked a personal milestone for the forward, who finished ahead of teammate Cole Palmer—the club’s previous winner in September 2024. This recognition follows a strong start to the current campaign, where Pedro has already recorded two goals and two assists in his opening three matches.
When asked if Pedro belongs in the same conversation as Haaland, who secured last season’s Golden Boot with 27 goals, Alonso was definitive. He noted that among the elite strikers currently playing in the Premier League, both Haaland and Pedro are undoubtedly at the top of the list. To secure his future at the club, Pedro signed a new contract last month that runs until 2034 and was subsequently awarded the iconic number nine shirt.
Alonso, who played alongside the legendary Benzema for 195 matches at Real Madrid, highlighted the technical versatility that makes Pedro a unique threat. While Haaland is often viewed as a specialist goalscorer, Alonso pointed out that Pedro’s background as a midfielder and winger has fostered a more rounded skillset. He described the Chelsea man as intelligent and complete, noting his ability to perform effectively both inside and outside the penalty area, as well as his aerial prowess.
The Chelsea boss acknowledged that while Pedro is still developing, his current qualities are exceptional. Benzema, now 38 and a free agent, remains a benchmark for such versatility, having scored 523 goals in 994 appearances for clubs including Lyon, Real Madrid, and various Saudi Arabian sides.
The forward’s form comes after a difficult summer, during which he was a surprise omission from Brazil’s World Cup squad. However, he has since been recalled for upcoming international fixtures against New Zealand and India. Addressing whether the exclusion by Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti—who previously coached Alonso at Real Madrid—served as extra motivation, the Chelsea manager insisted that Pedro’s drive is entirely internal.
Alonso stated that while the omission was painful, Pedro has moved past it, focusing instead on his current objectives. The manager praised the player’s maturity and personality, emphasizing that Pedro is currently driven by a clear ambition to deliver a standout season and maintain his high scoring rate for the Blues. The report also notes that who was Chelsea ‘s previous recipient in September 2024, it was the first time Joao Pedro has won the award as he finished ahead of team-mate Cole Palmer. The report also notes that he became the club’s first striker since Diego Costa to score 20 goals in a single season during his debut campaign and has struck 25 times and had 11 assists in 57 matches since joining last summer. The report also notes that in his last 57 matches for City, Norway’s Haaland has 42 goals and supplied nine assists. The report also notes that but many, many outstanding qualities, he is still young. The report also notes that so I didn’t need to go there, he already had enough within him.
