Xabi Alonso has delivered huge praise for Joao Pedro, comparing the Chelsea striker to former Real Madrid teammate and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.
Pedro has made an excellent start to the season and was named Premier League Player of the Month for August after contributing two goals and two assists in Chelsea’s opening three league matches.
Alonso now believes the Brazilian deserves to be considered among the Premier League’s elite strikers.
Alonso ranks Pedro among Premier League’s best
Chelsea have enjoyed a strong opening under Alonso, winning four of their first five matches across all competitions and scoring 16 goals.
While Cole Palmer and £117million summer signing Morgan Rogers have attracted plenty of attention, Pedro remains fundamental to Alonso’s attack.
“If you count how many top strikers we have in the Premier League, I am sure that Joao is there,” Alonso said.
The Chelsea boss has been equally impressed by Pedro’s mentality, praising his personality, maturity and desire.
Pedro was already one of Chelsea’s standout performers last season, scoring 20 goals and providing nine assists before being named the club’s Player of the Season.
Joao Pedro reminds Alonso of Benzema
Alonso went even further by comparing the 24-year-old with Benzema, whom he played alongside at Real Madrid.
“In many things he reminds me of him,” Alonso said.
The Spaniard believes Pedro possesses the versatility and intelligence that made Benzema such a complete centre-forward.
“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.”
Alonso also stressed that Pedro still has significant room for development given his age.
Chelsea striker still has room to improve
Comparisons with a Ballon d’Or winner represent significant praise, but Alonso believes Pedro possesses the qualities required to continue progressing.
“He is still young. He still has things to develop,” Alonso added. “But he has many, many absolutely outstanding qualities.”
The challenge now is maintaining those standards as Chelsea look to continue their strong start against Hull City.
Key Points
- Xabi Alonso has compared Joao Pedro to Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema.
- Alonso believes Pedro is already among the Premier League’s leading strikers.
- Pedro was named Premier League Player of the Month for August.
- The Brazilian has contributed two goals and two assists in three league games.
- Alonso believes the 24-year-old can improve further despite already possessing “outstanding qualities”.
What’s Next?
Pedro will look to justify Alonso’s enormous praise when Chelsea face Hull City. Maintaining his early-season form would further establish the Brazilian as one of the key figures in Alonso’s new-look attack.
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