Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has drawn a striking double comparison for striker Joao Pedro — likening him to the great Karim Benzema and placing him on the same level as Erling Haaland ahead of Saturday's Premier League fixture against Hull at Stamford Bridge.

The praise arrived on the same day Joao Pedro was named the Premier League's player of the month for August, an award he earned after contributing two goals and two assists across Chelsea's first three matches of the season.

Asked directly whether he rates Joao Pedro alongside Haaland, Alonso was unequivocal. "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 said at his pre-match press conference.

Benzema echoes

Alonso, who played alongside Karim Benzema at Real Madrid — where Benzema scored 354 goals in 658 appearances — said the 24-year-old Chelsea forward carries many of the same qualities that made his former team-mate so dangerous.

"In many things he reminds me of Benzema," Alonso said. "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. He is very complete and he is intelligent."

Alonso tempered that assessment with a reminder of the striker's room for growth. "He is still young. He still has things to develop. But he has many, many absolutely outstanding qualities," he added.

Joao Pedro scored 20 goals in 50 games for Chelsea last season. Beyond the numbers, his manager singled out his character. "He has been top. Not just football-wise, personality-wise. His maturity, his desire," Alonso said.

Brazil recall and a painful memory

Joao Pedro's strong form earned him a recall to the Brazil squad this week, having missed out on Carlo Ancelotti's World Cup selection. Alonso acknowledged the omission stung but said the focus now lies firmly elsewhere. "It was painful for him. But that's way back. And we are now talking about other things, like what he is doing well and what he can do better," he said.

A front three that completes each other

Joao Pedro has been part of a potent attacking trio alongside Cole Palmer and summer signing Morgan Rogers, who joined Chelsea for £117 million. Between them, the three forwards have combined for six goals and four assists in just three Premier League appearances.

"We are very similar in the way we think," Joao Pedro told Sky Sports. "But also we are very different players, so I think we complete each other."

The Brazilian striker described how each player brings a distinct role to the unit. "I am more of a nine; I hold the ball more. Cole is more of a 10, and Morgan is more carrying the ball and dribbling," he said. "For me, it's very good when you look behind and you have two No 10s like Cole and Morgan."