Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Pedro Neto starred in Chelsea’s exhilarating 4-3 win against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Sunday.
Romeo Lavia opened the scoring for Xabi Alonso’s side less than five minutes into the game before Neto doubled their lead 10 minutes later.
Neto is attracting interest from some top clubs, but it looks like the winger wants to remain at Stamford Bridge.
Pedro Neto tapped Chelsea badge after scoring
In the past, Neto has been criticised by some Chelsea fans for his body language and attitude.
As recently as last Monday, Reece James even had a go at Neto after he failed to track back following a turnover in possession, which resulted in the Portuguese telling him to shh.
However, against Brighton, the scenes were very different. Neto looked much happier and even tapped on the Chelsea badge after scoring his goal, suggesting that the 26-year-old wants to continue at the club.
Pedro Neto of Chelsea celebrates
Photo by Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images
Throughout the summer, he has been linked to some of Chelsea’s biggest Premier League rivals, including Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.
Neto was also a target for Al-Hilal, but the Saudi Arabian club have now agreed a deal with Arsenal to sign Gabriel Martinelli, making a move for Chelsea’s Portugal international unlikely.
Chelsea have reportedly slapped a £100m price tag on Neto, which seems to have deterred Al-Hilal and others.
Pedro Neto thriving as a wing-back under Xabi Alonso
Following Alonso’s arrival at Chelsea, Neto has been playing as a wing-back, and the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man is producing in that role.
In the Brighton victory, Neto could have easily had an assist to go with his goal if Joao Pedro put away one of the chances the Portugal star created for him.
On the right, he has caused a lot of problems with his pace, dribbling and overall directness. And while Neto may have shown a little bit of laziness against Fulham last week, he usually does work extremely hard down the right flank.
All in all, this Neto in the wing-back experiment is working so far, and if he stays at Chelsea, which is starting to look increasingly likely, Alonso should persist with it.