Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says Joao Pedro is “as good as” Erling Haaland and compares him to Karim Benzema, pointing to the forward’s early impact in the Premier League.
Alonso’s comments come after Joao Pedro records two goals and two assists in the first three league matches of the season. The outlets report that the comparison is based on his start to the campaign and overall influence in games rather than any later, larger body of work.
While both sources highlight the same figures and attribution to Alonso, they frame the statement with different emphasis: one focuses on the Haaland comparison, and the other includes the Benzema reference. Neither source adds further detail on tactical changes, the exact nature of Alonso’s praise beyond the comparison, or how the club plans to develop Joao Pedro further.
