Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Chelsea are expected to sell several players between now and the end of the transfer window.
One name they could allow to depart is Pedro Neto, who is attracting plenty of interest, including from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
His potential exit could have ramifications for a couple of Chelsea players who are expected to remain at Stamford Bridge.
Pedro Neto’s potential move to Al-Hilal would benefit Estevao Willian and Geovany Quenda
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Al-Hilal are set to hold talks with Chelsea this week about signing Neto, and that could be good news for the likes of Estevao Willian and Geovany Quenda.
Xabi Alonso finished pre-season using a 3-4-3 formation, but the Spaniard has already said that he is going to be flexible and initially began life at Chelsea with a 4-2-3-1.
In a 4-2-3-1 set-up, Estevao and Quenda would likely have to compete against Neto for a spot on the right flank. That is a lot of competition between some good players for just one position.
With that in mind, Estevao and Quenda will probably not be crying too much if Neto joins Al-Hilal this summer.
Geovany Quenda and Estevao Willian of Chelsea
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Of course, in Alonso’s 3-4-3 system, Neto has been playing as a wing-back, but that is a position that Quenda can also play. Again, the Portugal international departing Stamford Bridge means less competition for Chelsea’s new signing.
Chelsea are not forcing Neto out of the door, which is understandable. He is one of the top wingers in the Premier League and is also proving to be quite an effective wing-back.
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Neto and Marco Palestra in the wing-back positions this season could really excite Chelsea fans.
However, the 26-year-old is attracting so much interest and it does appear that the Blues would be willing to let him go for the right price.
The Chelsea Chronicle understands that Arsenal are also interested in signing Neto and that Chelsea could consider a sale for £75m.