Xabi Alonso, Chelsea's manager, has praised Joao Pedro's skills, comparing him to former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema and Manchester City's Erling Haaland. Alonso said: "I would say yes. If you count how many top strikers we have in the Premier League, I'm sure that Joao [Pedro] is there, Haaland for sure is there. So I would rate him that way."
Joao Pedro has been in impressive form this season, scoring twice and providing two assists in his first three games. He has also signed a new contract at Stamford Bridge, committing to the club until 2034. The striker has become the club's first 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.
Alonso highlighted Joao Pedro's versatility, saying: "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." The Chelsea boss also praised Joao Pedro's maturity and desire, saying: "He has been outstanding. Not just in football terms, but in his personality, his maturity and his desire."
Joao Pedro's next step will be to continue his impressive form for Chelsea, with the club facing a busy schedule in the coming weeks.