Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink Highlights Four Traits Joao Pedro Shares with Karim Benzema After Xabi Alonso's Bold Comparison
Xabi Alonso has drawn a striking comparison between Chelsea forward Joao Pedro and former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema. The Blues boss praised Pedro’s qualities, suggesting he belongs among the Premier League’s elite strikers. Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink echoed this view in an exclusive interview with GOAL, pointing out four key traits Pedro shares with the French legend.
Benzema: A Generational Talent
Benzema is widely regarded as one of the best forwards of his generation. The Ballon d’Or winner scored 354 goals over 14 seasons at Real Madrid, playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in the famous ‘BBC’ trio. His goal-scoring prowess puts him in the company of Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suarez, Sergio Aguero, and Harry Kane. Now a free agent after leaving Saudi side Al-Hilal, Benzema remains a benchmark for strikers worldwide.
Pedro’s Rise at Chelsea
Although Joao Pedro is still early in his career, he has impressed since joining Chelsea from Brighton in 2025 for £60 million ($79m). He managed to reach 20 goals in his first season at Stamford Bridge, marking a strong start under the watchful eye of Alonso.
Alonso’s Thoughts 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. 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.”
Four Qualities Shared by Pedro and Benzema According to Hasselbaink
Hasselbaink identified four traits linking the two forwards during his talk with GOAL, supported by MrQ:
- Technical Skill: Both players show exceptional ball control and technique.
- Intelligence: Their understanding of the game allows them to drop into midfield and create plays.
- Composure: Calmness in front of goal sets them apart.
- Versatility: Ability to operate well both inside and outside the penalty area.
“I can understand that. I see similarities. They’re both really technical, really, really intelligent. They both can come into midfield and play. And they’re both really calm in front of the goal. So I can see similarities. Joao Pedro is not there yet. But I can see similarities.”
Chelsea’s Defensive Challenges and Emi Martinez Signing
While Pedro continues to find the net—scoring three times this season—he’s been sidelined recently due to a minor injury. This absence has impacted Chelsea’s attacking fluidity alongside Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer. Defensively, the Blues have struggled, conceding 10 goals across their last four games and collecting only one point from their last three Premier League matches.
To strengthen their backline, Chelsea secured World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez from Aston Villa for £7.5 million ($10m). Hasselbaink commented on the signing:
“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.”
Upcoming Matches and Outlook
Chelsea are set to welcome AFC Bournemouth at home on October 10, hoping to improve their recent form. Pedro is expected to return by then, potentially reigniting the Blues' attacking threat under Alonso’s guidance.
- Match: Chelsea vs AFC Bournemouth
- Date: October 10, 2026
- Time: 17:00
