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Alonso Praises Joao Pedro, Comparing Him to Haaland and Benzema
Confirmed
In Short: Chelsea's Xabi Alonso has praised Joao Pedro, comparing the striker to Karim Benzema and Erling Haaland.
Xabi Alonso, the Chelsea manager, has high praise for Joao Pedro, likening the striker to both Karim Benzema and Erling Haaland. According to reports, Alonso believes Pedro, who has scored 25 goals since joining Chelsea last season, is on the same level as the Manchester City forward.
Alonso, who played alongside Benzema at Real Madrid, highlighted Pedro's versatility and complete skillset, noting that the Brazilian player can operate as a midfielder, number 10, and winger. "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," Alonso said, adding that Pedro has many outstanding qualities.
Joao Pedro's impressive start at Chelsea has not gone unnoticed. He was named Premier League player of the month for August, and his performances have earned him comparisons to both Benzema and Haaland. In his last 57 matches for Manchester City, Haaland has scored 42 goals and supplied nine assists, showcasing his prolific goal-scoring ability.
Alonso, who made 195 appearances alongside Benzema at Real Madrid, emphasized that Pedro's style of play is similar to his former teammate. "So yes, he is still young, still things to develop, but many, many absolutely outstanding qualities that he has," Alonso said. The Spaniard also noted that Pedro has played in multiple positions, giving him a more rounded skillset compared to Haaland, who is primarily a goalscorer.
Alonso's comparisons to both Benzema and Haaland highlight the potential of the young striker. The Brazilian has made a sensational start to life under Alonso at Chelsea, and his performances have already earned him comparisons to two of the world's top strikers. As Pedro continues to develop, his potential to match or even surpass the standards set by Haaland and Benzema remains a topic of interest for football fans.
What's confirmed
- "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," added the Spaniard.
- "I would say yes," said Alonso when asked in his press conference if he sees him as being on the same level as Haaland.
What's still developing
- But by the end of the year, it looked like they had found their quarterback of the future.
- "He was good at everything. But mostly he was poised and efficient and really ran that offense well without a lot of mistakes," the executive told me.
- "He is an experienced college QB who is coupled with a good player caller in the head coach," the scout told me.