Joao Pedro Wins Premier League Award As Alonso Makes Huge Haaland And Benzema Comparison

Chelsea forward Joao Pedro has been named the Premier League Player of the Month after making an outstanding start to the new season.

The 24-year-old Brazilian beat his Chelsea teammate Cole Palmer to the individual award after registering two goals and two assists in his opening three league appearances.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the honour marks Joao Pedro’s first Premier League Player of the Month award since joining Chelsea. Palmer had previously won the prize in September 2024.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has also praised the forward’s performances, insisting that Joao Pedro deserves to be regarded among the Premier League’s top attackers alongside Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

When asked if he would compare Joao Pedro with Haaland, Alonso responded positively, noting that the Brazilian belongs in the conversation when assessing the league’s elite strikers.

Joao Pedro has quickly become a key figure in Alonso’s attacking setup after taking over Chelsea’s number nine shirt this season. He scored 20 goals in his first campaign at Stamford Bridge, becoming the club’s first striker since Diego Costa to reach that milestone in a single season.

Overall, the Brazilian has contributed 25 goals and 11 assists in 57 appearances for Chelsea, underlining his growing importance to the club.

Alonso also compared Joao Pedro’s playing style to former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, whom the Chelsea manager played alongside during his career. The Spaniard highlighted the Brazilian’s ability to operate both inside and outside the penalty area, while praising his intelligence, versatility and all-round attacking qualities.

According to Alonso, Joao Pedro possesses several qualities reminiscent of Benzema, particularly his movement, aerial ability, link-up play and intelligence in attacking situations. However, he stressed that the 24-year-old still has room for further development.

Joao Pedro’s impressive start to the campaign has also earned him a recall to the Brazil national team after he was surprisingly left out of the country’s World Cup squad.

Alonso believes the disappointment has only strengthened the forward’s determination to succeed. The Chelsea boss praised Joao Pedro’s personality, maturity and ambition, adding that the striker has set himself the target of enjoying a highly productive campaign and scoring plenty of goals.

With his early-season performances already attracting significant attention, Joao Pedro appears determined to establish himself among the Premier League’s elite forwards.