To describe Chelsea's start to the year as chaotic would be an understatement.
The Blues started by parting ways with Enzo Maresca, followed that up with two very different draws against Manchester City and Fulham, and now have Liam Rosenior in charge as their new permanent head coach.
There were, and still are, plenty of questions around the Englishman's appointment, but he's started well enough with a 5-1 win away to Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup.
liam-rosenior-chelsea-charlton
However, if the 41-year-old is to succeed at Stamford Bridge, he needs to be backed, and, if reports are to be believed, he will be, as Chelsea make moves to sign a massive Pedro Neto upgrade.
Chelsea target Neto upgrade
The unfortunate reality Chelsea fans are all too aware of is that, despite the club spending massive sums of money over the last few years, there are still areas of the squad which need improving.
For example, while their first-choice centre-backs are quality, the West Londoners are in desperate need of better backups, as Tosin Adarabioyo is simply not good enough.
Likewise, while Liam Delap is a promising player and Joao Pedro is hugely talented, neither one feels likely to develop into a truly prolific number nine anytime soon.
Delap
However, perhaps the area most in need of improvement is the left wing, and the good news is that the club appear to be trying to do this.
At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which claims Chelsea are interested in Bradley Barcola.
In fact, the report has revealed that the Blues have already been in contact over a potential move for the French international, but so have a handful of other teams, including Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool.
The report does not reveal how much a potential move might cost, but reports from last summer stated that the Parisian side value their star at around €100m, which is about £86m.
PSG winger Bradley Barcola
It could therefore be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Barcola's immense ability and potential, one Chelsea should be all over it, especially as he'd be a monster Neto upgrade.
How Barcola compares to Neto
The first thing to say is that while many view Neto as purely a right-winger, that wouldn't be accurate, as he's spent only marginally more time there than in other positions.
Neto
For example, in his club career, the 25-year-old international has made 78 appearances on the right, 70 on the left, 25 up top, 17 as a second striker and 11 in attacking midfield.
In other words, he is someone who has been and will likely continue to be used on both flanks, although with Cole Palmer now back and Estevao being impossible to ignore, he may well become more of a permanent fixture on the left.
Neto's positional versatility
Position
Right Winger
Left Winger
Centre-Forward
Second Striker
Attacking Midfield
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Unfortunately for him, this would then put him in direct competition with Barcola, were Chelsea to sign him, and that's a competition the Portuguese international would not win.
For example, since the start of last season, he has scored 16 goals and provided 12 assists in 80 appearances, totalling 5393 minutes.
That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.85 games, or every 192.60 minutes.
bradley-barcola-psg
In stark contrast, the PSG ace has scored 26 goals and provided 25 assists in 87 appearances, totalling 5319 minutes, since the start of last season.
This comes out to an astounding average of a goal involvement every 1.70 games, or every 104.29 minutes, which also helps to justify Como scout Ben Mattinson's claim that he's "one of the best left-wingers in Europe."
As if that wasn't enough to prove that the 23-year-old is the far superior winger, just take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.
According to FBref, the Lyon-born gem comes out on top in practically every metric, including non-penalty expected goals plus assists, shots on target, progressive and key passes, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons, and more, all per 90.
Barcola vs Neto
Statistics per 90
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
Progressive Passes
Progressive Carries
Shots on Target
Passing Accuracy
Key Passes
Shot-Creating Actions
Goal-Creating Actions
Tackles Won
Successful Take-Ons
All Stats via FBref for the 25/26 League Season
Ultimately, while Neto isn't a bad player, he has underwhelmed at Stamford Bridge and therefore, if Chelsea have even the slightest chance to sign Barcola, they should go all out to do so.
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The incredible veteran would be the perfect signing for Chelsea and their next Silva.