Chelsea boss Xavi Alonso believes Joao Pedro is on the same level as Erling Haaland, comparing the Brazilian to Real Madrid icon Karim Benzema.
Alongside Morgan Rodgers and Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro has made a strong start to the season as the Blues have taken six points from their first three Premier League games.
Joao Pedro has two Premier League goals in 2026-27, with only Haaland, Alexander Isak and Bruno Fernandez (three) having more, while his non-penalty expected goals (xG) of 1.87 is the highest of any Blues player and fifth-highest in the entire league.
The former Brighton striker has a 20% conversion rate in the Premier League this season, the highest of any player with a goal conversion rate of 1.5 xG or higher.
The 24-year-old also provided two assists and was awarded the Premier League Player of the Month award for August.
Ahead of Saturday’s game against Hull City, Alonso was asked if he would rate Joao Pedro as the best striker in England alongside Haaland.
The Spaniard replied: “I would say yes. If you count how many top strikers we have in the Premier League, I’m sure Joao is there.”
“So that’s what I would say about him. He’s always been top not only in terms of football, but also in terms of character, his maturity and his desire.”
“He has a very determined goal this year; to have a great season, score a lot of goals and be a candidate not only for this month but for the next few months.
“I’m not surprised but I’m very happy with the kind of player we have here in Joao.”
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Alonso wasn’t done with his high praise for Joao Pedro, comparing him to 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Benzema.
Alonso added: “He reminds me of Benzema in a lot of things because he’s good inside the box, he’s good outside the box, he’s good on the left and he’s good with his headers.”
“He’s very versatile and very smart. He’s still young. He still has a lot to develop. But he has many, many qualities that are absolutely outstanding.”
Chelsea have never lost in 10 Premier League games against Saturday’s opponents Hull City (8 wins, 2 draws) and have only faced Portsmouth more times in the competition (14).
However, the Blues have not won any of their past four home league games against newly promoted teams (D3, L1).
Only once in their league history have they gone five home games without a win against promotion rivals, and that was between April 1947 and September 1948.