João Pedro was named the Premier League Player of the Month for August following his impressive performances.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has praised striker João Pedro and compared him to former France and Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema.
The Spanish tactician drew similarities between the pair during his press conference on Friday, ahead of the Blues’ league match against Hull City.
Pedro is the only senior central striker left in Chelsea’s squad after the departures of Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu, and Liam Delap.
He was recently named the Premier League Player of the Month for August. With this feat, he becomes the first Chelsea player to win the award in almost two years, since Cole Palmer won his second in September 2024.
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Speaking about João Pedro ahead of the West London outfit’s fourth league encounter of the season, Alonso identified the qualities the Brazilian possesses.
He said: “In many things, João Pedro reminds me of Karim Benzema.”
The Chelsea boss added that alongside his aerial ability, the forward excels both inside and outside the box, as well as operating out on the left.
”He is good in the box, he is good out of the box, he is good coming to his left side. He is good with his head—he is very complete and smart,” Alonso further noted.
