Xabi Alonso has likened Joao Pedro to Karim Benzema and stated the Chelsea striker is on the identical stage as Erling Haaland.
Joao Pedro was named the Premier League’s participant of the month for August on Friday after contributing two targets and two assists in his first three video games of the season for the Blues.
Alonso has been delighted by his impression and feels the 24-year-old, who scored 20 targets in 50 video games for Chelsea final time period, must be seen in the identical class as his Manchester Metropolis counterpart.
“I’d say sure,” stated Alonso when requested in his press convention if he sees him as being on the identical stage as Haaland.
“In the event you rely what number of high strikers we have now within the Premier League, I’m certain that Joao is there. So I’d price him that manner.
“He has been high. Not simply football-wise, personality-wise. His maturity, his want.
“He has a really robust objective this yr: to have a terrific season, to attain many targets, and to be a nominee for not simply this month however extra months.
“I’m not stunned, however actually pleased with the sort of participant that we have now right here with Joao.”
Alonso continued his reward of Joao Pedro by saying he sees similarities along with his former Actual Madrid team-mate Benzema, who scored 354 targets in 658 video games for the Spanish aspect.
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Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso believes Chelsea are thriving due to the connection between Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers
“In lots of issues he jogs my memory of Benzema,” he added. “As a result of he’s good within the field, he’s good out of the field, he’s good coming to the left aspect, he’s good with the top.
“He’s very full and he’s clever.
“He’s nonetheless younger. He nonetheless has issues to develop. However he has many, many completely excellent qualities.”
Joao Pedro’s kind earned him a Brazil recall this week, having been omitted of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the World Cup.
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Thierry Henry analyses Joao Pedro’s position within the Chelsea crew this season
“It was painful for him,” added Alonso. “However that is manner again. And we are actually speaking about different issues, like what he’s doing properly and what he can do higher.”
Chelsea entrance three ‘full one another’
Joao Pedro has fashioned a part of a harmful entrance three with Cole Palmer and £117m summer season signing Morgan Rogers, each of whom have additionally starred below Alonso.
The trio have six targets and 4 assists in three Premier League video games between them and Joao Pedro feels their qualities complement one another completely.
“We’re very related in the way in which we predict,” he informed Sky Sports activities. “But additionally we’re very completely different gamers, so I feel we full one another.
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Chelsea’s Joao Pedro spoke to Sky Sports activities about his pleasure at enjoying alongside Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer
“For me, it is excellent while you look behind and you’ve got two No 10s like Cole and Morgan. I am very joyful to play with them.
“I feel Cole can go very properly but in addition he can rating. Morgan is a little bit bit the identical.
“I feel the way in which we predict may be very related, however in the identical manner, I’m extra of a 9; I maintain the ball extra. Cole is extra of a ten, and Morgan is extra carrying the ball and dribbling.”