Joao Pedro: The Chelsea striker is in the same “class” as Haaland, Mbappe and Kane-Rosenior

Chelsea Coach Liam Rosenior said striker Joao Pedro belongs to the same “class” as world-class strikers Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe.

The 24-year-old Brazil international scored a hat-trick in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over 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 spot, and only Haaland, with 19 goals, has scored more goals without penalties in the Premier League this season, while across Europe’s top five leagues, Kane leads the way on this basis with 20 for Bayern Munich, and Mbappe has 15 for Real Madrid.

Asked if Joao Pedro was performing at this level, Rosenior told reporters: “Joao belongs to this category now. During the two months I spent here, he constantly showed that he is a world-class striker.”

“I’m talking about my players, it’s disrespectful to Erling to compare them. I don’t know Erling very well, but from the outside he looks like a great, world-class striker.

“I wouldn’t trade Joao for anyone at this moment, he shows all the qualities and traits I want to see.

“The great thing about Joao is his age – he can still improve, and I’ve already noticed many areas where he can improve. But the level he’s 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 the first outright striker to reach 20 goals in a season since Diego Costa in 2016-17.

Two players have reached that mark in the intervening years, with striker Cole Palmer scoring 25 goals in the 2023-24 season, five years after Eden Hazard scored 21 goals as a winger.