Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink Highlights Four Traits Joao Pedro Shares with Karim Benzema After Xabi Alonso’s Bold Comparison
Xabi Alonso recently made a daring comparison between Chelsea striker Joao Pedro and former Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema. The Chelsea boss believes Pedro shows qualities reminiscent of the French forward. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, a former Chelsea star, supports this view and shared insights in an exclusive interview with GOAL about four key traits both players share.
Benzema’s Legacy and Pedro’s Rise
Karim Benzema is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation. Having scored 354 goals over 14 seasons at Real Madrid, he stood alongside other elite forwards like Robert Lewandowski and Harry Kane. Benzema was part of the iconic BBC attack trio with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale and won the Ballon d’Or in 2022.
Joao Pedro, a South American forward, has yet to reach those heights but is making waves at Chelsea after joining from Brighton for £60 million ($79 million) in 2025. He netted 20 goals in his first season at Stamford Bridge, showing promise under Alonso’s guidance.
Alonso’s Perspective on Pedro
“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 said.“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.“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 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 Shared Qualities
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink acknowledged similarities between the two forwards, explaining their shared traits while talking with MrQ and GOAL:
- Technical skill: Both are highly skilled with the ball at their feet.
- Intelligence: Their understanding of the game allows them to drop into midfield and contribute creatively.
- Calmness: They remain composed when facing goal-scoring chances.
- Versatility: Both can operate effectively in different attacking roles.
Hasselbaink noted, “Joao Pedro is not there yet, but I can see the similarities.”
Chelsea’s Recent Challenges and New Signings
This season, Pedro has scored three goals but has been sidelined with a minor injury, limiting his impact alongside teammates Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer. Chelsea have performed well offensively but struggled defensively, conceding 10 goals in their last four matches across competitions.
To strengthen their defense, Chelsea signed World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez from Aston Villa for £7.5 million ($10 million). Hasselbaink praised Martinez’s arrival, saying:
“The goals haven’t stopped, but I’m very pleased that the character itself has come in. And it’s a World Cup winner. He stands there, he’s a big unit, he’s a leader. And you can’t have enough of those in your squad.“So obviously, he’s not played his best football yet. That is a combination of several things. Also the people in front of him. But I’m so happy that that kind of character has come into the building.”
Looking Ahead
Chelsea have taken just one point from their last three Premier League games and face work during the upcoming international break. Joao Pedro is expected to return for their home match against AFC Bournemouth on October 10, when the Blues will aim to regain momentum.
- Next fixture: Chelsea vs. AFC Bournemouth
- Date: October 10, 2026
- Time: 17:00
