Photo by Pakawich Damrongkiattisak - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Photo by Pakawich Damrongkiattisak - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Between now and the end of the summer window, a whole heap of players are going to leave Chelsea. Just today, the Blues have cashed in on Liam Delap for a £50m fee.
Delap becomes the seventh player Chelsea have sold this summer, taking the total income over £200m. Nicolas Jackson is expected to be no.8, with Aston Villa ready to spend £65m – £47.5m initially – on him.
It comes after the sales of Marc Cucurella, Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, Trevoh Chalobah, Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Omari Kellyman. Chelsea could easily end up with £400m in player sales come the deadline.
But that could grow further if Chelsea sell more than just Jackson and Enzo Fernandez. Players like Malo Gusto, Romeo Lavia, Tosin Adarabioyo and more could depart, as could winger Pedro Neto.
READ MORE: After Camavinga, another Fernandez replacement has now been ruled out
John Obi Mikel thinks Pedro Neto is trying to force an exit
On Monday night, Neto was seen shushing Reece James, while the skipper covered the Portugal winger for failing to get back and defend while Chelsea were holding on to a 3-2 win. He’s been criticised.
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel told his podcast that if Neto was in the changing room with John Terry, Didier Drogba and Petr Cech, he would not have liked what he would have been subjected to.
Chelsea v Real Sociedad - Pre-Season Friendly
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Mikel claims Neto showed he wants to leave: “Neto needs to absolutely respect his captain. He’s very lucky it wasn’t back in our day. What he would have got in the dressing room, he wouldn’t have liked it.
“Terry, Cech, Drogba, they would have rinsed him. He wasn’t frustrated; he wants to force a move. From rumours that I’ve heard, he wants to leave. Until you leave, you have to give everything for the club.”
What is the current situation regarding Neto’s future?
Plenty of clubs have been linked with Neto this summer, but the reports with some substance suggest a move to Al Hilal is most likely. Arsenal and Liverpool have been touted with potential bids as well.
Pedro Neto of Chelsea
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But with Bradley Barcola going to Liverpool, Neto may see a move to Saudi Arabia as his only hope. Chelsea have slapped a £100m price tag on his head, and that fee may have provoked Neto’s response.
Certainly, that fee is blocking any chance of an exit, and it might be that Neto decided to take things into his own hands. Xabi Alonso is in no rush to sell Neto, but after Monday, he might feel he has to.