Joao Pedro: Chelsea striker in same ‘category’ as Haaland, Mbappe and Kane – Rosenior

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior says striker Joao Pedro belongs in the same “category” as world‑class forwards Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe.

The 24‑year‑old Brazil international scored a hat‑trick in Wednesday’s 4-1 win at Aston Villa, taking his tally to 17 goals in all competitions this season.

None of his 14 Premier League goals this season have come from the penalty spot and only Haaland, with 19, has scored more non‑penalty goals in England’s top flight this season, while across Europe’s top five leagues Kane leads the way on that basis with 20 for Bayern Munich, and Mbappe has 15 for Real Madrid.

Asked whether Joao Pedro is operating at such a level, Rosenior told reporters: “Joao is in that category now. In the two months I’ve been here, he has consistently shown he is a world‑class striker.

“I talk about my players; it’s disrespectful to Erling to compare them. I don’t know Erling very well, but from the outside he looks a magnificent, world‑class striker.

“I wouldn’t swap Joao for anyone at this moment – he is showing all the qualities and attributes I want to see.

“The great thing for Joao is his age – he can still improve, and I’ve already noticed several areas where he can get better. But the level he’s operating at now is world class, and it’s my job, the club’s job and his job to keep him there.”

Chelsea, who face Wrexham in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, are looking for Joao Pedro to become their first out-and-out striker to reach 20 goals in a season since Diego Costa in 2016-17.

They have had two players reach that tally in the intervening years, with deep-lying forward Cole Palmer scoring 25 in the 2023-24 season, five years after Eden Hazard hit 21 as a winger.