Chelsea fans think star will 'cook' under Xabi Alonso after performance in AC Milan win

Chelsea fans are excited for the Premier League season after watching Xabi Alonso’s side beat AC Milan 3-0 in pre-season – and one player stood out.

Chelsea continued their pre-season exploits with a convincing victory over Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan in Jakarta, Indonesia, with Joao Pedro’s brace and Moises Caicedo’s strike securing the win.

Chelsea largely dominated play during the first half but took until first-half stoppage time to take the lead, with Pedro nodding home a corner from close range.

The Brazilian then bagged his second less than one minute after the interval, tapping home a pinpoint cross from Pedro Neto.

By 50 minutes, Alonso’s side had all but secured victory, with Caicedo netting an impressive volley from outside the penalty area.

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Chelsea fans excited about Joao Pedro after impressive pre-season

Pedro has now netted five times in four pre-season matches under Alonso, convincing fans that he can go to the next level after scoring 15 Premier League goals during his first season at Stamford Bridge last term.

One fan said: “This wasn’t just about the scoreline for me. Chelsea finally looked like a team that knew exactly what it wanted to do. João Pedro taking his chances, Caicedo controlling the midfield and then producing THAT finish, while the defence stayed disciplined enough to keep Milan quiet. It’s only pre-season, so I’m not getting carried away. But if Xabi Alonso can build consistency from performances like this, Chelsea could be a very interesting team to watch this season.”

Another added: “João Pedro is becoming THAT guy. Another two goals today. His movement, link-up play and finishing are making him increasingly difficult to leave out of this Chelsea attack.”

A third claimed: “It’s time we start talking about Joao Pedro as the best striker in the Premier League after Erling Haaland.”

A fourth commented: “I've said it a few times, but Joao Pedro has this Crespo finishing range to him. Yeh, Crespo might score more 9/10 aesthetic goals than Pedro, but it’s the mentality and technical execution, the wide variety of finishes, that he shares as a trait with Crespo. The best striker we've signed in 10 years.”

A fifth wrote: “The main headline of the summer was no World Cup for João Pedro, but no problem for him. Six goal involvements in three matches in pre-season, with two today against AC Milan. He is ready to cook this season and will grab his spot back in the national team.”

Of course, Pedro was famously left out of Brazil’s World Cup squad with Carlo Ancelotti giving Neymar the nod instead.

Chelsea face Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim on Sunday (August 9) before returning to England this week.

The Blues then face La Liga’s Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15 before kicking off their Premier League campaign against Fulham at Craven Cottage on August 24.