Alonso: Joao Pedro reminds me of Benzema

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has compared striker Joao Pedro to Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema, as the Brazilian forward collected the Premier League Player of the Month award for August.

Joao Pedro scored and assisted in Chelsea's opening two Premier League victories of the 2026/27 season, against Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion, earning him the monthly award for the first time in his career.

"He's been top, not just football-wise but personality-wise, his maturity," said Alonso. "He has a very strong goal this year: to have a great season, to score many goals, to be a [Player of the Month] nominee not just this month, but for more months. I'm really not surprised, but am really happy with the kind of player that we have with Joao."

Alonso, who has worked with Joao Pedro for around two months, also placed the striker alongside Erling Haaland among the Premier League's top forwards.

The Chelsea manager drew a specific comparison to his former Real Madrid team-mate Benzema when assessing the Brazilian's all-round qualities. "As a profile of striker, he seems to be able to do everything," Alonso said. "He reminds me of Benzema because he's good in the box, he's good out of the box, he's good coming to the left side, good with the head. He's very complete. He's intelligent."

"So yes, he's still young, and he still has things to develop, but he has many absolutely outstanding qualities," Alonso added.

Chelsea host Hull City at Stamford Bridge later on Saturday.