Chelsea's head coach Xabi Alonso has drawn a parallel between Joao Pedro and Karim Benzema.
The Spanish manager believes the Brazilian striker shares several qualities with the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner.
A former team-mate of Benzema at Real Madrid from 2009 to 2014, Alonso knows the French forward’s attributes well.
Journalist Bobby Vincent reports Alonso's words:
In many ways, Joao Pedro reminds me of Karim Benzema.
He’s good in the box, effective outside it, capable of drifting left, and he’s strong in the air. He’s a very versatile and intelligent player.
Joao Pedro has kicked off the 2026/27 season with a bang, registering four goal involvements in his first two Premier League matches and earning his first Premier League Player of the Month award in August.
