Chelsea's Joao Pedro Compared to Karim Benzema by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink Following Xabi Alonso's Bold Claim

Xabi Alonso Sees Benzema in Joao Pedro

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has drawn a striking parallel between his striker Joao Pedro and former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema. The Brazil international has been praised for qualities reminiscent of the French forward, a claim supported by Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who shared his thoughts in an exclusive chat with GOAL.

Benzema’s Legacy and Pedro’s Rising Star

Karim Benzema stands as one of the most prolific forwards of his generation, with 354 goals scored during 14 seasons at Real Madrid. He shared the pitch with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, forming part of the famous 'BBC' trio, and secured the Ballon d’Or in 2022. Though Joao Pedro is still early in his career, having joined Chelsea from Brighton in 2025 for £60 million ($79m), he impressed by hitting 20 goals in his first season at Stamford Bridge.

Alonso on Pedro’s Attributes

"If you count how many top strikers we have in the Premier League, I’m sure that Joao is there, [Erling] Haaland for sure is there. So I would rate him that way."

Alonso highlighted Pedro’s versatility and intelligence: "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 the head. He is very complete, he is intelligent. So yes, he is still young, still things to develop, but many, many absolutely outstanding qualities that he has.”

Hasselbaink Identifies Four Shared Qualities

The former Chelsea striker recognized four key traits Pedro shares with Benzema:

• Technical skill: Both players possess refined ball control and technique.
• Intelligence: They read the game well and make smart decisions on the pitch.
• Midfield involvement: Each can drop back and contribute effectively to midfield play.
• Calmness in front of goal: Both show composure when finishing chances.

"Joao Pedro is not there yet. But I can see similarities," Hasselbaink said.

Pedro’s Current Form and Injury

Pedro has found the net three times this season but has recently been sidelined due to a minor injury. This absence has impacted Chelsea’s attacking flow alongside creators Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer.

Defensive Struggles and New Signing Emi Martinez

Chelsea’s defensive woes continue, having conceded 10 goals in their last four matches and earning only one point from their past three Premier League games. To strengthen the backline, the club signed World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez from Aston Villa for £7.5 million ($10m).

"I’m very pleased that the character itself has come in," Hasselbaink remarked. "He stands there, he’s a big unit, he’s a leader. And you can’t have enough of those in your squad."

Outlook

With Pedro expected to return before Chelsea’s home clash against Bournemouth on October 10, manager Alonso will look for his team to regain momentum and tighten up defensively as the 2026-27 season continues.

• Next match: Chelsea vs AFC Bournemouth
• Date: October 10, 2026
• Time: 17:00