Xabi Alonso needs Joao Pedro fit and firing after the international break as the Chelsea manager looks to turn things around at Stamford Bridge.
Joao Pedro of Chelsea during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on September 06, 2026 in London, England
Joao Pedro for Chelsea.(Image: Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
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Xabi Alonso was given a taste of life without Joao Pedro when Chelsea suffered a 3-0 defeat to Brentford.
The 24-year-old striker appeared to suffer a knee injury during the second half of the Blues' clash against Hull City when he landed rather awkwardly and collided with the goal frame following a contested header at the back post.
After a brief spell on the sidelines, where he received some medical attention, Pedro returned to action and later scored an equaliser to salvage a point. The Brazilian was then not spotted training on the grass at Cobham with the rest of the first-team before withdrawing from Carlo Ancelotti's squad for the international break.
Pedro was subsequently ruled out of the clash against the Bees at the Gtech Community Stadium on Friday night, and Chelsea certainly rued his absence. Danny Welbeck, who replaced the talisman in the starting lineup, was unable to drag the Blues to victory, or at least produce a moment of magic to light a flame beneath his teammates.
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Without Pedro in the frontline, Alonso had lost one of the best strikers in the world. This season in particular, the Brazilian has developed a knack for being in the right place at the right time, adding another string to his bow.
As visualised by Gradient Sports below, no player in the Premier League this season has received the ball in a dangerous position more than he has (7.29 per 90 minutes). Interestingly, 6.84 possessions of which have been in the penalty area, ranking him third among all players.
In the English top-flight this season alone, Pedro has enjoyed 110 successful touches (3.3 per 90 minutes), with a concentrated cluster on the left-hand side of the opposition box, which was exactly the area he last scored from.
Since joining Chelsea from Brighton last year, the Brazilian has developed into a multifaceted world-class striker. Not only does Pedro have a variety of finishes in his locker, but he can stretch backlines, take on defenders, wrestle centre-halves, hold up play, drop deep to link up the midfield, and lead the press.
Joao Pedro's touch map in the Premier League this season.
Joao Pedro's touch map in the Premier League this season.
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Welbeck hasn't featured as much as Pedro in the Premier League this season, having played just 86 minutes, but he's still managed to enjoy more successful touches per 90 minutes (4.3). That said, the location of the touches tells a different story: just four of them took place in the box.
Of course, game states and individual performances vary from week to week, not to mention the small sample size, so it's difficult to compare the value of each touch. But it's become clear that Pedro provides quality in every action like no other, and Alonso will need him fit and firing after the international break.
Danny Welbeck's touch map in the Premier League this season.
Danny Welbeck's touch map in the Premier League this season.
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Earlier this month, the Chelsea manager compared his frontman to Karim Benzema. Noting Pedro's knack for being in the right place at the right time, Alonso said: "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."
Joao Pedro's xG map in the Premier League this season.
Joao Pedro's xG map in the Premier League this season.
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When asked whether the Brazilian could be compared to Erling Haaland, who won the Premier League Golden Boot with 27 goals last season, 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."
As it stands, it remains unclear when exactly Pedro will be back in action. But, after the international break, Chelsea will look to return to winning ways when they face Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, October 10, and Alonso will hope the Brazilian can lead the frontline...