Pedro Neto has caused Chelsea a major problem

Cameron Smith

10 Nov 2024 21:30 GMT
3 min read

Pedro Neto scored his first Premier League goal for Chelsea during their 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, but the Portuguese international appears to have handed Enzo Maresca a major problem in the process.

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10 minutes after Gabriel Martinelli’s opener, Neto found space inside the final-third, via some intelligent movement, and he fired a left-footed strike past David Raya to score his first league goal since February.

Neto’s goal came just two minutes after being moved onto the right flank, with Mykahilo Mudryk’s substitution for Noni Madueke resulting in the ex-Wolves man shifting wings.

The 24-year-old beat Ben White on several occasions during his stint on the left, but he is yet to score for Chelsea while playing on that flank, with all three of his goals coming from the right-hand side.

That, in itself, is set to cause Enzo Maresca a huge selection headache. Does the Italian want Neto to become a more consistent goalscorer, or is he happy with his creative contribution from the left?

Enzo Maresca’s Pedro Neto headache

Noni Madueke has arguably outperformed both Jadon Sancho and Mykhailo Mudryk so far this term, yet the England international has almost solely played on the right flank during his senior career.

Madueke only has one goal contribution in his last 11 appearances, but his one-vs-one ability is immense and he is frequently able to fashion half-chances by using immense body feints and electric bursts of acceleration.

His lack of final third productivity could soon become an issue for a club with aspirations of competing for the Premier League title, but Maresca must ultimately choose whether Madueke is a better fit than Sancho and Mudryk.

Furthermore, with Neto looking bright on the right flank, the Portuguese international is staking a firm claim to be deployed in that position from the start of matches.

Current ETV

Pedro Neto

F (CR)

Chelsea

Pedro Neto

F (CR)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€32M - €53.3M

Maresca has been able to enjoy a very settled Premier League XI so far this campaign, but Neto’s form, and Madueke’s dip in performances, could present the Italian with a fresh selection decision to make.

Will Sancho return to the starting XI upon his return to full fitness? Will Mudryk receive a chance after some impressive cup performances? Or will Madueke keep his place despite his form?

One thing is for sure, however. Neto has earned his place in Chelsea’s first-choice starting XI over the past few weeks.