Xabi Alonso praised Joao Pedro’s determination after the Brazilian scored a hat-trick against Western Sydney, backing the Chelsea forward for another prolific season.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has hailed Joao Pedro’s determination after the Brazilian striker announced himself in pre-season with a stunning nine-minute hat-trick during the Blues’ thrilling 6-4 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers.
The 24-year-old came off the bench to transform the match, scoring three late goals to secure Alonso’s first victory since taking charge at Stamford Bridge. His display came after an impressive debut season in which he scored 20 goals across all competitions and was voted Chelsea’s Player of the Season by the club’s supporters.
Despite those achievements, Joao Pedro was left out of Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a disappointment Alonso believes has only increased the striker’s motivation ahead of the new campaign.
“He’s very hungry. Joao is really, really determined to have a great season,” Alonso said. “After a great last year where he scored many goals, I think he wants to keep scoring more and more. But we need to help him because on his own it’s not possible. He will have players around him who also need that hunger to score. Every time we win and our striker scores, I am happy.”
Chelsea are expected to reshape their attacking options before the transfer window closes following the arrival of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa. However, Joao Pedro appears firmly central to Alonso’s plans after his impressive first year at the club and his explosive start to pre-season.
Joao Pedro Thriving Under Alonso’s Tactical Freedom
The Brazilian revealed he is already enjoying working under the new Chelsea boss, describing Alonso as an approachable coach who encourages attacking players to express themselves across multiple positions.
“He’s a very open coach. We talk a lot. I feel free,” Joao Pedro said. “When I play in front I move a lot, so he gives that option for me. Sometimes I can play on the left, sometimes in the middle. That’s what I’ve learned from him. I want to achieve the highest level possible with the team. I always want to score to help my team, and hopefully next season can be even better than last season.”
While Joao Pedro stole the headlines, fellow striker Liam Delap endured a quieter outing before being substituted after 60 minutes. The England youth international has been linked with a possible move to Everton, but Alonso dismissed concerns over his performance, insisting the forward is making positive progress during pre-season.
“I see him in a good mood, with a real desire to build his fitness and get back to playing regularly,” Alonso said. “He’s doing well.”
Although Chelsea showed defensive vulnerabilities during the high-scoring encounter, Alonso was pleased with the overall performance and the absence of any significant injuries. He believes overcoming difficult moments during pre-season will strengthen the team ahead of the Premier League campaign, with further friendlies against Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, and matches in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia still to come.
