Incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso will face a multitude of tough decisions when he officially starts work next month ahead of his debut season at Stamford Bridge
07:00, 24 Jun 2026
Pedro Neto celebrates
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BURNLEY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Pedro Neto of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Burnley and Chelsea at Turf Moor on November 22, 2025 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)(Image: Chelsea FC)
Ever since Pedro Neto switched Molineux for Stamford Bridge in August 2024, for a deal believed to be around £54million, the winger has failed to win the Chelsea fan base over.
That in itself is not an easy thing to do and it's not because of a lack of effort. Neto has frustrated supporters with his lack of end product in the two seasons he has spent with the Blues, and there have been question marks over his attitude as well.
Back in December, the Portugal international infuriated some of the Chelsea fan base when deciding to put his fingers to his ears after scoring the Blues' only goal of the game in the defeat to Leeds United. The timing of such celebration frustrated fans - with the west Londoners losing 2-0 before Neto replied.
A red card in the defeat to Arsenal a few months later was the final straw for many. Though, there are some supporters who still believe in Neto, who still has five years left to run on his contract with the west Londoners.
It will be intriguing to see the sort of role Neto will have under incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso. This article is part of a mini-series on football.london. With just one week to go until Alonso officially begins his job role, we look at Chelsea's No.7. With six days remaining, we will look at the club's No.6 (I'll let you figure out who that is) and so on. Here are Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes with their take on Neto:
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Bobby Vincent on Pedro Neto
If you ask me to give you my take on any Chelsea player in the squad, Neto is probably the one I will most struggle with. So, here goes...
Should he be starting every week for Chelsea? No. If I say that, you might argue, 'well, he should be sold then', but I don't think he should. Just because he's not starting every game does not mean he will not have a role to play under Alonso.
Pedro Neto celebrates
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Pedro Neto will be hoping to impress incoming Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso once he returns from the World Cup(Image: Rodrigo Moreira/NurPhoto)
If Neto can accept that he will have to fight for his place a bit more next season (last term, he started 43 of his 52 appearances in all competitions) as long as Chelsea do go out and sign another attacking option this summer. If Neto can't accept that, then there is a serious argument for the two parties to go their separate ways.
Personally, though, I've no problem with Neto being in and around the squad next season. What people online seem to forget, also, is that managers/head coaches all really like the 26-year-old winger, whose work ethic on the pitch cannot be questioned.
Pedro Neto celebrates
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Pedro Neto has been a mainstay in the Chelsea side since signing two years ago(Image: Alex Livesey - Danehouse)
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Jake Stokes on Pedro Neto
Chelsea should sell Neto.The Portuguese winger enjoyed a really promising end to the 2024/25 campaign, helping the Blues qualify for the Champions League as well as win the Conference League and Club World Cup. He was pretty impressive for Portugal that summer, too, getting his hands on the Nations League trophy.I expected Neto to build on his big performances and finally put up the numbers that justify his standing in the squad. But he fell short of expectations again last season, so the sporting leadership team should be ruthless and recover as much of his price tag as possible.Of course, his value out of possession makes it difficult for any manager to drop him, but to directly contribute towards just 21 goals over two Premier League seasons for Chelsea, across almost 5,000 minutes of action... it's not quite good enough. Those numbers hardly justify a starring role.Neto would be a good squad player for a team competing across all fronts. But, ahead of a mostly one-game-a-week season, I can't find a place for the Portuguese winger in the Blues squad. Cash in and use the money to fund the signings of a top left winger, centre back and midfielder.