Credit: Imago, The Rest Is Football on YouTube

Evan Lloyd

Mon 9 March 2026 14:47, UK

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Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have exercised caution on Chelsea striker Joao Pedro after Liam Rosenior heaped praise on him last week.

The Blues boss said that the 24-year-old, who joined from Brighton last summer, is in the same category as Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe.

Pedro scored on Saturday as Chelsea beat Wrexham 4-2 to progress to the quarter-final of the FA Cup.

Rosenior’s side came from behind twice to take the game to extra time, before Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro scored to down the Championship side, who had been reduced to 10 men after George Dobson was dismissed.

Chelsea’s win has kept their hopes of winning silverware this season, with Wednesday set to see them travel to PSG in the Champions League last 16.

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer not yet convinced by Joao Pedro

There were question marks surrounding Pedro when Chelsea spent around £60million to sign him from Brighton in the summer.

The forward had shown promise for the Seagulls, but there were doubts over his ability to perform at the top level.

Those questions have been answered emphatically in the last three months. Since Rosenior was appointed in January, Pedro has scored 11 goals in just 13 appearances.

The striker has become the key man for the Blues, who look a different side without him in the front-line.

Former Everton chief Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider last week that Liam Delap is set to leave Chelsea, with the striker facing an impossible task to displace Pedro in the team.

Last week, Rosenior said he would not swap the Brazilian for anyone at this moment, including the likes of Haaland and Mbappe.

But not everyone is convinced yet. Speaking to The Rest Is Football on Monday, Lineker said: “Did you hear Rosenior’s comments, I think prior to the game, about Joao Pedro?

“I think he said he’s up there on the levels of Kane, and [Robert] Lewandowski and people like that in the world now, should be considered in that bracket. I think it’s a tad premature.”

“He was a level above everyone yesterday,” Shearer added. “He stood out a mile just with his ability, his balance, and touch and technique and all of those things, but I wouldn’t have him in those brackets, no.”

Pedro impresses vs Wrexham

Pedro is no ordinary striker for Chelsea. In fact, he appears to play in multiple roles when he’s on the pitch.

The 24-year-old will often drop deep to pick up the ball and play it forward, as he did to set up a superb chance for Marc Cucurella against Wrexham.

Or he will drive forward himself, just as he did before finding the bottom corner to put the game out of reach on Saturday.

Pedro is a forward of many facets, and even if he is not yet ready to be put in the same bracket as the likes of Haaland, he is certainly among Chelsea’s brightest sparks.