Xabi Alonso has placed Joao Pedro in very good company, comparing the Chelsea forward to Karim Benzema and saying he is good enough to sit among the Premier League's top strikers.
The praise comes after Chelsea have won four of their opening five games in all competitions, with Joao Pedro already making a strong early impression under Alonso. The 24-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge from Brighton last year in a transfer worth up to £60m, and he has carried that momentum into this season.
In August, Joao Pedro was voted Premier League Player of the Month, and in the opening three league games of the current season he scored twice and supplied two assists. Last season, he finished with 20 goals and nine assists and was named Chelsea Player of the Season.
Alonso: Joao Pedro belongs with the best
Alonso did not hold back when asked about the forward's level. “If you count how many top strikers we have in the Premier League, I am sure that Joao is there. So I would rate him that way,” he said.
That is a significant judgement, especially from a manager who knows elite attacking standards from his own career. Alonso and Benzema were teammates at Real Madrid, where the French forward won four La Liga titles, five Champions Leagues and the 2022 Ballon d’Or during a 14-year spell.
For Alonso, the comparison is not only about finishing. It is about the complete package. “In many things he reminds me of him,” Alonso said. “Because 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.”
Why the Benzema comparison matters
That is high praise for any striker, but particularly for a 24-year-old still building his career at Chelsea. Alonso was equally clear that he sees room for growth, while still believing Joao Pedro already has the tools to decide big matches.
“He has been top. Not just football-wise, personality-wise. His maturity, his desire,” Alonso said. “I am not surprised, but really happy with the kind of player that we have here with Joao.”
He added: “He is still young. He still has things to develop. But he has many, many absolutely outstanding qualities.”
That is what makes the comparison so striking. Alonso is not simply celebrating a hot streak. He is saying Chelsea may already have a forward whose influence goes beyond goals, and that is usually the sign of a player who can carry real responsibility when the season gets difficult.
What comes next for Chelsea
Chelsea's strong start has been interrupted only once recently, with a narrow loss to Arsenal last week, but the mood around Joao Pedro remains positive. On Saturday, Chelsea were due to face Hull City, offering another chance for the Brazilian to build on his fast start and strengthen the case that Alonso has identified a truly elite striker.
As Chelsea continue to settle under their new manager, Joao Pedro is becoming one of the most important figures in the side. If Alonso is right, the discussion around him is no longer just about promise. It is about whether he can already be trusted to operate at the level of the very best.
