Alonso compares Joao Pedro to Haaland and Benzema

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Flanked by Morgan Rogers 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 2026-2027, with only Haaland, Alexander Isak and Bruno Fernandes  outscoring him by one.

Having also provided two assists, the 24-year-old was handed the Premier League's player of the month award for August.

Ahead of this weekend's clash with Hull City, where Australia international Lucas Herrington will ave to deal with him should he get on for the Tigers, Alonso was asked whether he would rank Joao Pedro alongside Manchester City's Haaland among the best strikers in England.

The Spaniard replied: "I would say yes. If you count how many top strikers we have in the Premier League, I am sure that Joao is there.

"So I would rate him that way. He has been top, not just football-wise, personality-wise, also his maturity, his desire.

"He has a very strong goal this year; to have a great season, to score many goals, and to be a nominee for not just this month but more months.

"I am not surprised, but really happy with the kind of player that we have here with Joao."

Alonso was not done there with his lofty praise for Joao Pedro, comparing him to 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Benzema.

"In many things, he reminds me of Benzema, because he is good in the box, he is good out of the box, he is good coming to the left side, he is good with the head," Alonso added.

"He is very complete and he is intelligent. He is still young. He still has things to develop. But he has many, many absolutely outstanding qualities."

Chelsea has never lost in 10 Premier League meetings with Hull, winning eight of those, but the Blues have failed to win any of their past four home league games against newly-promoted sides.