Joao Pedro same level as Haaland and Kane - Rosenior

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has placed in-form striker Joao Pedro in the same “category” as Europe’s elite forwards, insisting the Brazilian is now operating at a “world-class” level comparable to Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe.

The 24-year-old’s hat-trick in Wednesday’s 4-1 victory at Aston Villa lifted him to 17 goals in all competitions this season, 14 of them in the Premier League and none from the penalty spot. Only Haaland (19) and Kane (20) have scored more non-penalty goals across Europe’s top five leagues this term, while Mbappe has 15 for Real Madrid.

“In the two months I’ve been here, he has consistently shown he is a world-class striker,” Rosenior told reporters. “I wouldn’t swap Joao for anyone at this moment. The level he’s operating at now is world class.”

Joao Pedro, signed from Brighton ahead of the current campaign, needs three more goals to become Chelsea’s first out-and-out striker to reach 20 in a season since Diego Costa in 2016-17. Eden Hazard (21) and Cole Palmer (25) have surpassed the mark in the intervening years, but both operated primarily as creators rather than traditional No 9s.

Efficiency underlines the Brazilian’s breakthrough season. His 24.6% shot-conversion rate eclipses both Haaland (22.5%) and Mbappe (20.7%), albeit on 57 attempts—39 fewer than the next-lowest tally among the quartet, Kane’s 96. Joao Pedro also has five league assists, level with Kane and two more than Mbappe.

Rosenior, however, was quick to caution against direct comparisons. “I talk about my players; it’s disrespectful to Erling to compare them,” he said. “But Joao is in that category now.”

The Chelsea boss believes there is still room for growth. “The great thing for Joao is his age—he can still improve, and I’ve already noticed several areas where he can get better,” he added.

Penalties are unlikely to accelerate the striker’s ascent. Cole Palmer has converted 18 of 19 spot-kicks since September 2023 and remains Chelsea’s designated taker.

While Joao Pedro’s 33 league goals since the start of 2023-24 trail Kane’s 92, Haaland’s 69 and Mbappe’s 54 over the same span, Rosenior is convinced the forward’s trajectory points toward sustained elite production.

Chelsea, who host Wrexham in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, will look to their Brazilian talisman to maintain his hot streak and propel the club deeper into both domestic cup competitions and the European places.