How Chelsea will line up with Pedro Neto

Chelsea have signed yet another attacking player, securing flying winger Pedro Neto from Wolves.

Pedro Neto had been linked to Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs previously this summer window, with the sensation being that he had outgrown his current side.

However, Chelsea made their move decisively, and after five seasons at Molineux, where he scored 14 goals in 135 appearances, Neto has moved to London for an initial fee of €60 million.

Neto has joined a Chelsea side already stuffed full of attacking talent, including Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Raheem Sterling and the prodigious Cole Palmer, but the Portuguese winger will be hopeful of making an impact all the same.

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How Chelsea will line-up with Pedro Neto

Chelsea have a lot of players of their books. As of writing, they have 44 senior players players, as per their club website, but even among that mass of humanity, there is a coherent and quality starting XI.

Given the make-up of the squad and what we've seen so far in pre-season, a 4-2-3-1 shape is expected to be what new coach Enzo Maresca deploys in his first campaign in charge of Chelsea.

With the immense squad depth at his disposal, it's likely Maresca will make copious use of rotation as a way to keep everyone happy. It will have the added bonus of allowing his team to press and play at their top physical level without fear of tiring themselves out.

But even among that huge squad, there is a coherent and quality starting XI.

In goal, Robert Sanchez is likely to retain his starting berth but the presence of many other goalkeepers like Filip Jorgensen in the squad should keep the Spaniard on his toes.

Club captain Reece James should lock down the starting spot at right-back if he's fit. If not then Malo Gusto is a more than capable backup.

The Blues have plenty of centre-backs to choose from. Still, new signing Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill are probably the pick of the bunch, at least until Wesley Fofana can rediscover fitness and form. Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi are also capable.

At left-back, Ben Chilwell has a chance to start when fit, but Marc Cucurella showed his sky-high ceiling at Euro 2024 with an excellent tournament. The former Barcelona man's pressing and positional discipline will no doubt appeal to a manager like Maresca.

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Chelsea spent more than €200 million combined on Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, and they are a wonderfully complimentary duo in terms of skill sets, so they will no doubt be the starters in the double pivot. This position is essential to modern football and the Blues have two superb talents in that spot.

Ahead of them as the side's No.10 is likely to be the dynamic Christopher Nkunku. Finally fit and firing, Chelsea fans will be salivating over what he'll be able to do.

Out on the wings is where we'll find the new man Neto. The Portuguese has a spotty injury record but will be a dangerous threat moving off the ball on the left, opposite penalty and celebration expert Cole Palmer.

Finally, in attack will be Nicolas Jackson. Marc Guiu and the imminent new arrival of Samu Omorodion are also targets, but Jackson remains first-choice. Nkunku may also start up front, with another midfielder coming into the XI.

GK: Robert Sanchez

RB: Reece James

CB: Tosin Adarabioyo

CB: Levi Colwill

LB: Marc Cucurella

CDM: Moises Caicedo

CDM: Enzo Fernández

CAM: Christopher Nkunku

RW: Cole Palmer

LW: Pedro Neto

ST: Nicolas Jackson