Chelsea: Liam Rosenior says Joao Pedro 'in same category' as Europe's best strikers | OneFootball

Striker has been in fine form of late and hit hat-trick midweek

Best on the continent? Liam Rosenior hails Joao Pedro

Action Images via Reuters

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior believes Joao Pedro is on a par with Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe.

He is in the conversation for the Premier League Golden Boot, eight goals adrift of Manchester City’s free-scoring Haaland, but crucially is yet to take a penalty this season.

As such, Rosenior believes Joao Pedro deserves to have his name listed among the best strikers in Europe.

"Joao is in that category now,” he declared. “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.”

Hat-trick hero: Joao Pedro

Action Images via Reuters

He continued: "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."

Joao Pedro, who himself has set his sights on scoring 20 goals this campaign, will have another opportunity to add to his tally as Chelsea visit Wrexham in the FA Cup on Saturday, but it is not yet clear whether he will start at the Racecourse.

Liam Delap and Marc Guiu are both in the conversation to take the No9 position. Having worked with Delap earlier in his career, Rosenior has taken a shine to the ex-Hull and Ipswich man, whose form has been middling this campaign.

Guiu, meanwhile, has been limited to just two Chelsea appearances since Rosenior’s arrival. He scored and assisted against Charlton Athletic as Rosenior made his managerial debut with the club.