Xabi Alonso, Chelsea’s manager, has offered a compelling assessment of striker João Pedro, highlighting a striking similarity to former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema and a comparable level of performance to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. Alonso, speaking on Friday, expressed a belief that Pedro possesses qualities that could rival the latter’s exceptional talent.
This sentiment was initially expressed when asked whether the forward could be compared to Haaland, who achieved significant success last season with 27 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League. Alonso stated: “I would say yes.” He continued, “If you count how many top strikers we have in the Premier League, I’m sure that João [Pedro] is there, Haaland for sure is there. So I would rate him that way,” suggesting a strong potential for Pedro to compete with the best.
Alonso emphasized that Pedro’s skillset differs from Haaland’s, who is primarily a goalscorer. Pedro, however, has played as a midfielder, number 10, and winger throughout his career, possessing a more rounded skillset and a greater versatility. He has consistently demonstrated a capable performance in various positions, showcasing a comprehensive skillset that complements his goal-scoring ability.
When discussing his debut campaign, Pedro recorded 25 goals and 11 assists in 57 matches, quickly becoming the club’s first striker since Diego Costa’s 20 goals in 2024. This success underscores his development and ability to contribute significantly to the team’s attack.
Furthermore, Alonso notes that Pedro signed a new contract at Stamford Bridge last month, retaining his number nine shirt until 2034. He has been a consistent presence in the Premier League, with a remarkable record of 195 appearances alongside Benzema, consistently scoring 20 goals and providing 11 assists.
In contrast to Haaland, who is a specialist goalscorer, João Pedro has played as a midfielder, number 10, and winger throughout his career, and possesses a more nuanced skillset.
Alonso highlighted similarities between Pedro and Benzema, noting that both “remind 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.” He added that Pedro’s intelligence and desire to improve are key factors contributing to his potential success.
Benzema, now 38 and a free agent, has scored 523 goals in 994 appearances for France, Lyon, Real Madrid, and Saudi Arabian sides Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal. The omission of Pedro from Brazil’s squad for the World Cup this summer was a notable event, but Alonso stated that Pedro has since been recalled for September fixtures against New Zealand and India. He further added that he already had enough motivation to succeed this season.
The Chelsea boss stressed the importance of focusing on Pedro’s current performance and his ability to improve, highlighting that he has been outstanding – not just in football terms, but also in his personality, maturity, and desire. He has a clear goal this season: to have a great campaign and score a lot of goals. The match coverage and analysis of Chelsea’s current situation remains a key topic of discussion.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of João Pedro’s recent performance, comparing him to a highly successful player and examining his potential to continue a legacy of impressive goal-scoring, as reported by the BBC Football.
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Source: BBC Football
