Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images
There is a poor attitude, and then there is shushing your captain. That attitude has riddled Chelsea for years, and it is why the Blues have brought in both Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck.
Last season’s failures were largely down to a lack of leadership at Stamford Bridge, worsened when the hierarchy brought in an unproven, rookie manager in Liam Rosenior. Now, Xabi Alonso is in charge.
The Spanish gaffer has an aura that other BlueCo leaders have lacked, like Rosenior and Graham Potter. A show of poor body language, any hint of poor attitude, will no longer be tolerated or simply accepted.
Pedro Neto should be worried, then. The Portugal winger continues to be linked with Man City and Al Hilal, with the Blues slapping a £100m price tag on his head. But he needs to be sold after last night.
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Pedro Neto shows clear lack of respect towards Reece James
There were no excuses for tiredness. Neto had only come on to the pitch on 76 minutes, so any lethargy does not come into the question. Neto made a run forward, but took his time getting back into position.
Fulham v Chelsea FC - Premier League 2026/27
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Reece James was forced to come across to the right-back position and cover Neto, making a brilliant interception with a sliding block. With the ball safely away, James was spotted lambasting the winger.
He was seen screaming at Neto, only for the ex-Wolves man to put his finger to his lips and ‘shush’ his own captain. A remarkable display of disobedience, a lack of respect for James and his teammates.
Had James failed to cover Neto, Fulham will have been in down the left and possibly scored a third goal, cancelling out Chelsea’s lead and costing them two points. But Neto didn’t seem to care about that.
Fulham v Chelsea FC - Premier League 2026/27
Photo by Pedro Porru/MB Media/Getty Images
Having been outrun in 37 of 38 Premier League games last season, Chelsea’s players ran more than any other Premier League side on the opening weekend, more than 123km. But Neto didn’t mirror that at all.
Neto’s head has clearly turned; he doesn’t want to be at Chelsea
It’s not the first time that Neto has been criticised for his attitude. His red card against Arsenal last term, his altercation for Portugal against Mexico, and other examples show the winger in hothead territory.
Pedro Neto of Chelsea
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
But his unwillingness to get back into position while Chelsea were defending a lead was a clear lack of respect for Alonso, James, his teammates, the supporters, and simply Chelsea’s desire to win the game.
Amid the links with Man City and Al Hilal, clearly Neto’s head has turned. To behave how he did, not only lacking the effort but also showing a lack of respect he had for his captain, shows he no longer cares.
If Al Hilal or Man City make an offer for Neto, it should be accepted – even if they fail to reach Chelsea’s demands of £100m. His head has turned; he doesn’t care anymore, and he should be sold quickly.