Chelsea will be glad that they did not sell one of their recent goalscorers during the summer transfer window.
On Saturday, Chelsea beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the City Ground, with Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto and Reece James all netting.
Before the season started, Acheampong and Neto both attracted interest from other clubs.
Acheampong was reportedly a target for Bournemouth, while Neto was thought to have had admirers in Saudi Arabia.
Chelsea winger Pedro Neto dribbling with the ball
Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Pedro Neto has been one of Chelsea’s best players this season
Back in June, it was reported that Neto was attracting interest from the Saudi Pro League.
However, it was also claimed that Chelsea’s stance was that Neto is not for sale. Fast forward to now, and Maresca will be glad that the club’s stance never changed.
The winger has arguably been Chelsea’s best attacker this season, stepping up in the absence of the injured Cole Palmer.
In total, Neto has scored two goals and provided one assist in eight Premier League games. Last term, the 25-year-old only managed four goals in 35 outings, so he is already halfway to matching his 2024/25 tally.
Against Forest, Neto was excellent. Without him, Chelsea would not have won at the City Ground.
As well as scoring, he also set up Acheampong’s opener. According to Sofascore, the Portuguese also made four key passes and completed three crosses.
Neto received a mixed review against Hungary while representing Portugal, but there was nothing mixed about his performance at the City Ground. He was brilliant.
Chelsea team celebrating Pedro Neto's goal
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Why selling Noni Madueke made more sense
Following the arrival of Estevao Willian, it was always likely that Chelsea would sell one of their right wingers.
Maresca would have found it impossible to keep Estevao, Neto and Noni Madueke all happy.
Madueke was the one who departed, joining London rivals Arsenal, and it made sense to part ways with him rather than with Neto.
Neto is more comfortable on the left than Madueke, so he gives Maresca more versatility than the England international.
Since joining Chelsea, he has also come up with some very big moments, such as his winning goal against Fulham at the end of last season. He definitely deserved another campaign at Stamford Bridge.