Alan Shearer thinks Liam Rosenior is wrong about 'level above' Chelsea player
Alan Shearer has been speaking about one of Chelsea’s standout players.
Alan Shearer says Liam Rosenior is wrong about one Chelsea player who has been impressing this season. The Blues have had a rather inconsistent season, but they remain in the FA Cup and Champions League, while they are very much in the Premier League top four race.
One of the biggest reasons Chelsea have been so competitive is forward Joao Pedro, who arrived from Brighton last summer.
Since then, the Brazilian has scored 18 goals across all competitions and has also provided nine assists. There have been few more productive players in the Premier League this season, and Rosenior acknowledged that last week.
“Joao is in that category now. In the two months I’ve been here, he has consistently shown he is a world‑class striker,” said the Chelsea boss. “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.”
Shearer disagrees
Speaking on Monday, Shearer disagreed with what Rosenior had to say about Chelsea’s standout star, but he first had praise for his performance against Wrexham. “He’s a very good player, he’s hit great ability. When he came on, he was a level above everyone,” said the Match of the Day pundit on The Rest Is Football podcast.
“He stood out a mile just with his ability, balance, touch and technique, all of those things” Asked if he would put Joao Pedro in the ‘world-class’ bracket, as Rosenior suggested, Shearer added: “I wouldn’t have him that bracket, no.”
Only three players have more Premier League goals than Joao Pedro this season, while only six have more assists at this stage. World-class or not, Chelsea will be deeming the Brazilian’s signing as a massive success.