Xabi Alonso says Chelsea striker Joao Pedro is similar in style to his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema - and at a comparable level to Manchester City's Erling Haaland. The Brazil international, 24, has scored twice and provided two assists in his first three games of the season - and was named the Premier League's Player of the Month on Friday.

When asked whether the forward could be compared to the prolific Haaland, who won last season's Premier League Golden Boot with 27 goals, Blues boss Alonso said: "I would say yes. If you count how many top strikers we have in the Premier League, I'm sure that Joao [Pedro] is there, Haaland for sure is there. So I would rate him that way."

Joao Pedro signed a new contract at Stamford Bridge last month to stay until 2034, and was handed Chelsea's number nine shirt at the start of the season. He became the club's first striker since Diego Costa to score 20 goals in a single season during his debut campaign and has struck 25 times and had 11 assists in 57 matches since joining last summer.

Alonso, who made 195 appearances alongside former Ballon d'Or winner Benzema at Real Madrid, said there were also similarities between the Frenchman and Joao Pedro. "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," added the Spaniard.